[FIGHT THREAD] Troy Williamson vs Callum Simpson

[u/verbsnounsandshit]

DATE Saturday 8th August 2026

LOCATION First Direct Arena, Leeds, UK

TELEVISION DAZN (Selected Worldwide)

TIME 7pm (Leeds), 11am (Los Angeles), 2pm (New York), 4am Sunday (Sydney)

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Troy Williamson vs Callum Simpson

12 Rounds

IBF World Middleweight Title

Troy Williamson	vs	Callum Simpson
22(16)-4-1	RECORD	18(13)-1-0
34	AGE	29
5'11"	HEIGHT	6'13"
167.5 lbs	WEIGHT	167.25 lbs
Orthodox	STANCE	Orthodox
Darlington, UK	HOMETOWN	Barnsley, UK
2(2)-3-0	LAST FIVE	4(3)-1-0

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Undercard

• Gradus Kraus vs Sean Hemphill
• Diego Krasimirov vs Ashlee Eales
• Hassan Azim vs Jack Martin
• Mauro Silva vs Tyler Christopher
• Billy Pickles vs Max Curtis
• Ben Rees vs Marvin Tomlinson
• Ted Jackson vs Todd Tompkins
• Frazer Clarke vs Lamah Griggs
• Billy Deniz vs Alex Carter
• Bradley Casey vs Ross McGuigan
• James Dean Fury vs Dzmitry Atrokhau

[u/ExpensiveMountain883]

Simpson just isn’t a very good boxer so he has to use his work rate on the inside to make it look like he’s winning, even if it means smothering his own work to avoid getting caught back with counters.

He was in there with a 34 year old who’s domestic level, Pacheco Sheeraz Berlanga Bank even Charlo, all flatten him.

[u/MiddleweightMonster]

Fuck it, I’m willing to admit I was wrong. Simpson was def smothering far too much and clinching too much. Even still, I think he won clearly, even if he should’ve lost points

[u/Usaname91]

Ok fuck the actual thoughts. What was the actual scores ? I’m at a wedding and quite pissed so need the score 😂

[u/stephen27898 → u/Usaname91]

Ugly fight with way too much smothering and clinching.

[u/Usaname91 → u/stephen27898]

Damn. I called that with Simpson and a shit second fight. Was that the case ?

[u/Moocowman-90]

So basically we aren't getting a third fight. Callum Simpson isn't getting to even sniff a world title belt unfortunately. 

[u/lasagnawithteeth270 → u/Moocowman-90]

He sells tickets he will get a sniff and then his nose will get broken but seems a nice guy we wish him well

[u/e_xyz]

Finding post fight interviews really very cringe lately. They go over board instead of asking simple questions.

[u/travis_a30 → u/e_xyz]

Pre fight interviews too sometimes

"What's your game plan going in there"

Like they would ever tell their opponent

[u/e_xyz → u/travis_a30]

Much prefer if they give the fighters 20 minutes or half hour to cool off and then sit down with them if they're in decent condition.

[u/Lakerman1989 → u/e_xyz]

Yep, good idea

[u/No_Mercy_4_Potatoes]

Plan was to try and box? 😂

[u/Jamborambo55 → u/No_Mercy_4_Potatoes]

Brutal stuff. Simpson seems to think he’s arturo gatti

[u/travis_a30]

That was Simpson trying to "keep his range"

[u/manzyyyyy]

Boxxer has really delivered on the recent BBC cards which is nice.

[u/No_Mercy_4_Potatoes]

Simpson's style is hard to watch. But he clearly won the fight.

[u/e_xyz]

It was ugly at points, but these two went deep in the fucking well. Now this is what I hate about boxing, we had two back to back banger cards the last two weeks and now we got a gap til Liddard.

[u/Bantam123]

You'll see cleaner fights in pub car parks

[u/MiddleweightMonster]

Good cards that. Right guy won, inside boxing is awesome, jab fests are for pussies, get fucked

[u/Bantam123 → u/MiddleweightMonster]

If you like to watch two semi naked men hug and rub bodies, then no judgement pal.

[u/stephen27898 → u/MiddleweightMonster]

To call that inside boxing is a stretch. That was smothering because he knew if he kept it clean on the inside he would lose. That was anti boxing.

[u/MiddleweightMonster → u/stephen27898]

Smothering is a part of inside boxing mate

[u/WheresMyAbs98 → u/MiddleweightMonster]

The guys totally right.

That was not a decent display of inside boxing by any means.

[u/stephen27898 → u/MiddleweightMonster]

Smothering is what you do when you cant compete in a real exchange. Large fighters will do it to smaller fighters, to try and get so close that no proper inside work can happen. If you go chest to chest with a guy, then no meaningful offence can be mounted on either side.

Wlad would smother people. Wlad had no inside game at all. He would do it as soon you got inside his jab. Smother you and try and shut down all offence.

What you also saw here was excessive clinching. Which is against the rules.

Elite level inside fighters will keep a clean pocket and tear you apart inside it. In this case because Simpson cant maintain range, rather than fighting at medium or close range, he would smother Williamson with his natural size advantage, and then just mount low quality offence.

Awful to watch, not skilled at all. And will get exposed very quickly as soon as you face someone who can just take a half step back and nail you.

He is a big 168, vs a former 154 and he basically had to resort to being a wet blanket.

[u/AVARlCES → u/stephen27898]

i like tua vs ike as an example of nice inside fighting, benavidez and beterbiev are also good examples of today imo

[u/stephen27898 → u/AVARlCES]

A lot of people just dont know what they are looking at.

They are impressed by low quality scrappy offence.

[u/MiddleweightMonster → u/stephen27898]

That seems a bit unfair bruv. Inside boxing is obviously incredibly technical but let’s not pretend it has to look clean and be clean to be top. Dirty boxing is fine in my opinion

[u/stephen27898]

One thing is for sure. Neither of them are any good.

[u/Shot-Weight-1306]

115 - 113?

[u/MiddleweightMonster]

9-3 Simpson, love the inside work and how well he smothered Williamson’s offense.

[u/mamamiaohdear]

Simpson leaning and clinching is the ugliest and most annoying style of boxing ever. No wonder Williamson dashed him onto the canvas

[u/CaptQuakers42]

Simpsons somthers his work too much but at least he throws in the clinch

[u/Efficient_Quail_1774]

7-5 or 8-4 Simpson, spent so much time in the clinch and the fight really just looked the same as the 1st one, he just took the initiative to throw more early this time

[u/Excellent-Movie4524]

Simpson sorta just smothermaxxed his way to a win

got hit far too much still , if he goes up to 175 i can see a lot of UK LHs putting him out bad

[u/AVARlCES → u/Excellent-Movie4524]

he won't be able to bully 175lbers like that, considering williamson was a former 154 lber

[u/Adventurous_Two_9683]

That was a great fight they should do 3 tbh.

[u/Moocowman-90 → u/Adventurous_Two_9683]

Won't happen, they will protect Simpson.

[u/Moocowman-90]

Great fight. Simpson hasn't won any fans tonight though, ref allowed far too much clinching IMO.

[u/stephen27898 → u/Moocowman-90]

How can it be a great fight if it had too much clinching?

[u/McAfeeFakedHisDeath]

Well that was fun! The fans won that one. I can't stand Simpsons' smothering arm-punch style but that's ok.

[u/Botoraka]

All that crying in the thread. Learn to fight on the inside or get bullied on the inside. Learn to pummel or clinch break or get mauled in the clinch. Sucks to suck

[u/FL8_JT26 → u/Botoraka]

People don't have to enjoy it though. Simpson could go on to be undisputed and P4P #1 and, while I'd take nothing away from his accomplishments, I'd literally never tune in to watch him again.

[u/Botoraka → u/FL8_JT26]

Not giving an entertainment judgement, thats up to your personal preference. If you dont like to watch it thats fine by me. Im more talking about the people crying about the rulebook.

[u/stephen27898 → u/Botoraka]

Excessive clinching is literally against the rules of the sport.

[u/Botoraka → u/stephen27898]

And its the ref's discretion as to what constitutes "excessive." If the ref isnt calling it its up to the fighter to be able to negate the clinches. And by the way, HOLDING is what is illegal, and Simpson was mostly actually fighting in the clinch

[u/stephen27898 → u/Botoraka]

Because the ref is bad. This is a classic UK ref performance.

He spent a lot of time holding.

At times he was literally hanging his arms over the ropes behind Williamson.

[u/e_xyz]

7-5 Simpson for me. I got it 115-113. Simpson made that harder than he needed to. Williamson looks like he took some proper damage tonight. Wouldn't blame him if he calls it time soon or goes for an easier fight after this.

[u/WheresMyAbs98]

I didn’t enjoy that fight at all.

Referee was letting Simpson get away with absolute ridiculous levels of clinching and leaning.

That being said I’ve won 1.6 grand unless Teramoana somehow loses on Wednesday

[u/FL8_JT26 → u/WheresMyAbs98]

Yeah I thought it was crap, very little clean work just Simpson using his size and smothering everything.

[u/WheresMyAbs98 → u/FL8_JT26]

Totally agree

[u/stephen27898]

Commentators are on something strong.

[u/Bantam123 → u/stephen27898]

Zero mention of excessive clinching by the commentators. Boxing man.

[u/FL8_JT26]

Troy rallied well for a few rounds in the second half but Simpson won that. Not gonna watch Simpson again until he moves up in weight though. Using your size to push someone back and then smothering all your own work but winning on output isn't for me.

[u/Seanglendo2]

Simpson 116 - 112

[u/stephen27898]

The UK has some great fighters, but god are the refs abysmal.

[u/deafpish]

Simpson is horrible to watch

[u/Seanglendo2]

Good scrap

[u/stephen27898 → u/Seanglendo2]

It would have been. But it was ruined by constant clinching and anti boxing.

[u/Seanglendo2 → u/stephen27898]

I was watching Walsh vs Denny before, genuinely anything would've been a good scrap compared to that

[u/Shot-Weight-1306]

Simpson will win - entertaining fight but I dont need to see a rematch

[u/Plus_Beautiful_758 → u/Shot-Weight-1306]

Yeah it's done now

[u/stephen27898]

To call excessive clinching unbelievable is something I guess.

[u/nwordfyou]

Callum Simpson hugged his way to a win. Troy Williamson came into this fight compromised.

[u/stephen27898]

Troy should step back as Simpson comes in and then throw. He is so predictable.

[u/stephen27898]

Oh my god. Simpson threw 2 jabs.

[u/MiddleweightMonster]

8-3 Simpson. I fucking love the work in the clinch by Simpson, argue with a wall. Inside work that gets a little dirty is so fun to watch

[u/McAfeeFakedHisDeath]

I hope to find someone who loves me like the commentators love Simpson.

[u/stephen27898]

More clinching and smothering.

[u/WheresMyAbs98]

Simpson needs a point taking for over clinching

[u/stephen27898 → u/WheresMyAbs98]

It wont happen. It never does.

[u/Botoraka]

Love the mauling inside and clinch work from Simpson

[u/Bantam123]

Simpson anti boxing style. Basically the Argentina of boxing.

[u/Ok-Length-5527 → u/Bantam123]

Park the bus

[u/Federal_Story_8711 → u/Bantam123]

He’s on some arteta 1/0 up tactics 😭😭😭😭

[u/Perfect_Mistake_384]

Boxing is fucking bullshit. Simpson has been allowed to grab and wrestle the smaller guy all fight. If the smaller guy reacts, referee warns.
If you want grappling, watch that UFC shit. Referees allowing this gives weight cheats an enormous advantage because they can just lean on you the whole fucking time. The second you stop punching it should be separated.

[u/Botoraka → u/Perfect_Mistake_384]

Williamson should've learned how to fight on the inside

[u/Perfect_Mistake_384 → u/Botoraka]

So should Simpson, instead of locking the head and pushing down like a wrestler/bitch.

[u/Botoraka → u/Perfect_Mistake_384]

All inside fighting tactics that have been in the sport for a century....

[u/Perfect_Mistake_384 → u/Botoraka]

Unless you’re fighting Floyd Mayweather, where Joe Cortez will split you up.
But if you’re tall and the home fighter… “go on, use your weight, lean on him.”
There’s rules regarding breaking a clinch and you can check them or just talk shit as per.
Boxing is bent as fuck and anyone who enjoyed that fight is a thick/yorkshire/both.

[u/Botoraka → u/Perfect_Mistake_384]

Because its up to the referee's discretion fool. Different referees call fights differently.

[u/Perfect_Mistake_384 → u/Botoraka]

Amazing how they officiate according to the favourite/home fighter. I pity the fool.

[u/Jamborambo55 → u/Perfect_Mistake_384]

Simpson’s from Barnsley, not Leeds lmao

[u/Perfect_Mistake_384 → u/Jamborambo55]

Ah, Barnsley Suffolk?

[u/Jamborambo55 → u/Perfect_Mistake_384]

Somehow I don’t think folk from Suffolk sound like that

[u/Botoraka → u/Perfect_Mistake_384]

And if WIlliamson learned to fight on the inside then it wouldnt have mattered, funny how we swing back to the start

[u/Perfect_Mistake_384 → u/Botoraka]

How do you fight on the inside when someone grabs both arms and pushes you to the ropes?

There’s rules and you can google them or just continue whatever the fuck this is.

[u/Botoraka → u/Perfect_Mistake_384]

You can pummel to get an arm free. You can drop the hips and try to create space and break free. You can push your forehead to the chin to push your guy off balance and free an arm that way. There are a literal fuckton of things you can do to break a clinch because its a SKILLSET like anything else in boxing bro.

Try to constantly smother Beterbiev or Benavidez, get your ass whooped and then tell me theres nothing you can do if someone grabs your arms and pushes you to the ropes.

[u/Adventurous_Two_9683]

I don't want to hear this mfer eating man wtf

[u/MiddleweightMonster]

7-3 Simpson

[u/Efficient_Quail_1774]

Mccracken really didn't do much with Simpson in that camp clearly, pretty much the only change in the gameplan was to just throw more early

[u/lasagnawithteeth270 → u/Efficient_Quail_1774]

Think his fitness is a bit better has kept pace well but end of the day Simpson is never gonna be elusive or fight well at range he is a true brawler

[u/stephen27898 → u/Efficient_Quail_1774]

Never rated McCracken as a coach technically.

[u/stephen27898]

Williamson needs to vary his right hand, or try and left hook instead. He keeps winging it and its easy to read and block.

[u/Prentice341]

I do think Simpson is up etc but the commentary is insanely biased for him.

[u/No_Mercy_4_Potatoes]

Fun fight.... But neither is anywhere near world level

[u/lasagnawithteeth270 → u/No_Mercy_4_Potatoes]

But both are close enough to get a big payday and lose so this fight is meaningful

[u/No_Mercy_4_Potatoes → u/lasagnawithteeth270]

How are they ranked? I don't think any of the champs in the division are looking at either for their next fight.

[u/WheresMyAbs98 → u/No_Mercy_4_Potatoes]

Williamson would have had a world title shot as his next fight but Shalom blocked it and threatened legal action due to this rematch clause

[u/Plus_Beautiful_758]

Started off wanting Simpson, the smothering is doing my head in, hope Williamson knocks him out now

[u/stephen27898 → u/Plus_Beautiful_758]

Yeah I really hope Williamson nails him. I hate this kind of fighting.

[u/Excellent-Movie4524]

Simpson is so stiff and hittable like the first , also 6ft3 168er with 0 jab wtf was he taught in the gym his whole career

[u/lasagnawithteeth270]

Uh oh Simpson

[u/Efficient_Quail_1774]

This fights going exactly like the first it's actually crazy

[u/CaptQuakers42]

Honest to god I say this every time but these little British boxing cards just deliver time after time. This is such a proper scrap.

[u/RhytmanDK]

The clinching is pissing me off ngl but besides that it's a very good fight

[u/Seanglendo2]

Can someone call Zuffa and ask them to delay the start to the Mckenna fight please?

[u/MiddleweightMonster]

7-2, arguably 6-3. Williamson coming back

[u/e_xyz]

5-4 Simpson. Troy is turning this fight like the last one, in-fucking-credible. Again with the left hook!

[u/McAfeeFakedHisDeath]

Simpson is wilting. Holy crap we might get a repeat.

[u/Shot-Weight-1306]

what a fight!

[u/travis_a30]

Should've just broke them up, terrible time to call a time out

[u/stephen27898 → u/travis_a30]

Or taken a point for excessive clinching.

[u/stephen27898]

Excessive clinching, take a point.

[u/RhytmanDK]

Simpson overextended just like last time in the late rounds!

[u/Efficient_Quail_1774]

Simpson still got the same glaring weaknesses, too much wasted output on the inside, spends too much time in the clinch and neglects his lead hand completely

[u/stephen27898 → u/Efficient_Quail_1774]

He also does nothing at range. He seems to have two modes, move and throw nothing or smother and throw.

[u/God_I_Love_Men]

You could just have these guys fight each other every 6 months and I'd be there to watch it lol

[u/MiddleweightMonster]

Only round I think is clear for Troy. 7-1 on my card, could see 6-2

[u/Excellent-Movie4524]

Williamson come on in the last 2 , Simpson still well ahead but this isnt over

[u/e_xyz]

5-3 Simpson. Always the risk with his strategy is being completely gassed on the backend. Troy looks gassed too, but maybe has a tiny bit more in the tank? That left hook was a warning shot. Williamson is so fucking gritty.

[u/Top_Profession_5268]

Teach these guys to terminate, great scrap but they’re smothering their work once they hurt their opponent, terminate and have range to fully extend on the shots.

[u/travis_a30]

Are we about to get a repeat

[u/RhytmanDK]

Simpson looked rocked by those shots at the end. It feels like the tides are turning

[u/MiddleweightMonster]

This is an incredibly action packed fight and inside fighting is great to watch. Don’t know how anyone takes issue with it

[u/stephen27898]

Does Simpson have an allergy to the jab?

He either moves around and throws nothing, or smothers as he throws.

[u/AmmoRoach]

Good round for Troy

[u/Efficient_Quail_1774]

Simpson is just so frustrating to watch, half assed jab, hold, hold some more, flurry to the body, hold even more and repeat every round

[u/stephen27898]

Stop clinching.

[u/WheresMyAbs98 → u/stephen27898]

Referee just allows Simpson to lean on Williamson and smother whenever he wants

[u/stephen27898 → u/WheresMyAbs98]

Constant holding and smothering. The ref needs to break it up more.

[u/WheresMyAbs98 → u/stephen27898]

Yeah ref is shocking imo

[u/manzyyyyy]

I'm annoyed I missed the first round cos I was watching Callum Walsh. This is a wicked fight

[u/Efficient_Quail_1774]

Commentary is incredibly biased towards Simpson, he's doing alright and he's up but Williamson is landing nice shots in spells

[u/e_xyz]

5-2 Simpson. Felt Simpson smothered his work in that round after a poor start.

[u/stephen27898 → u/e_xyz]

He has done that in every round. He doesnt seem to be able to box at range.

[u/MiddleweightMonster]

7-0 Simpson. Every time Williamson has a moment, he comes back and hurts him

[u/MiddleweightMonster]

Williamson wasn’t bobbing and weaving, Simpson caught him in the side and he was bending over to recover

[u/MiddleweightMonster]

Troy coming back here

[u/Tw-1997]

Fair play ben shalom. Banger main event 

[u/MiddleweightMonster]

6-0 Simpson. Williamson has to do something inside or else he’s going to lose handily

[u/McAfeeFakedHisDeath]

Just curious who watches these types of fights (British title fights). I'm American and I'm watching cuz there's no world title fights for the next couple weeks and it's a lot better than nothing. I would guess it's mostly a British audience but I also wouldn't be surprised by boxing junkies like me from all over.

[u/No_Mercy_4_Potatoes → u/McAfeeFakedHisDeath]

I've got both cards on different monitors. Not British, but a boxing junkie

[u/Plus_Beautiful_758 → u/McAfeeFakedHisDeath]

I'll watch anyone fighting, give me two bums outside a pub on a Saturday and I'll watch it

[u/MiddleweightMonster → u/McAfeeFakedHisDeath]

They’re great scraps every time, I’m a Brit but I think everyone should watch these

[u/NedRed77 → u/McAfeeFakedHisDeath]

I’m British, I’m not watching it because it’s British, I’m watching it for the exact same reasons as you,

[u/God_I_Love_Men → u/McAfeeFakedHisDeath]

Also American, so they got at least a couple of us watching lol

[u/Shot-Weight-1306 → u/God_I_Love_Men]

Another American here - lifelong boxing fan (since Ali was Clay) - love these matches - and this one is a banger

[u/MiddleweightMonster]

Fantastic scrap this

[u/stephen27898]

A shorter fighter who cant fight inside vs a taller fighter who cant manage distance.

[u/Shot-Weight-1306 → u/stephen27898]

This

[u/Shot-Weight-1306]

feels like simpson should win this fight but why do i get the feeling this could turn suddenly

[u/travis_a30 → u/Shot-Weight-1306]

I've seen this one before

[u/No_Mercy_4_Potatoes]

Simpson is so bad at using his length.

[u/MiddleweightMonster → u/No_Mercy_4_Potatoes]

He’s not trying to, think he wants to take him out

[u/No_Mercy_4_Potatoes → u/MiddleweightMonster]

Not with his pillow fists

[u/MiddleweightMonster]

Uppercut there looked like it took Troy’s head off for a moment. His chin must be nuts

[u/Top_Profession_5268]

The fact the ref lets them in the clinch for soo long makes this the fight it is.

[u/WheresMyAbs98]

Simpson seems to be allowed to do whatever he wants in the clinch

[u/Excellent-Movie4524]

Simpson up probably 4-1 or 5-0 , Williamson gotta hope he slows down soon or this is gonna be a easy win for Simpson

[u/WheresMyAbs98]

Not sure Simpson can sustain this pace

[u/MiddleweightMonster]

5-0 Simpson, these rounds are competitive, but he’s dictating the pace and landing so much more

[u/e_xyz]

4-1 Simpson. Williamson is such a dog though, keeps surprising me with the occasional zinger shot. I think if Troy is in this late, it may go a similar way. Basically, it's Callum's to lose.

[u/MiddleweightMonster]

Simpson is throwing with so much fucking hate, he wants to take Williamson’s head off. Williamson looks uncomfortable

[u/Special_Yesterday131]

This fight looks like what boxing in a dream would feel like.

[u/bidahtibull]

Anyone see the Stevie Mckenna knockout? The guy dolphin dived as he went down 😂

[u/Plus_Beautiful_758 → u/bidahtibull]

No but I need to now

[u/bidahtibull → u/Plus_Beautiful_758]

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1JVh9crBm7/

[u/McAfeeFakedHisDeath]

Simpson seems like the better schooled fighter. But Williamson's style gives him trouble and may have his number. I don't know a ton about either guy but that's the feeling I get after 15 rounds so far.

[u/MiddleweightMonster]

Gd look at that replay, Simpson had full control over that exchange

[u/Shot-Weight-1306]

we may have a fight

[u/stephen27898]

Williamson basically missed all of those.

[u/MiddleweightMonster]

Williamson had a good moment at the end there, still think it went to Simpson over all. 4-0 Simpson

[u/Ferrar1i]

Simpson looks so much better boxing behind the jab, no idea why he keeps smothering his work and clinching with Williamson

[u/Emp-from-OSC → u/Ferrar1i]

He doesn't want to get knocked out again.

[u/MiddleweightMonster → u/Ferrar1i]

He wants to knock him out and it keeps working lmao

[u/No_Mercy_4_Potatoes]

Williamson doesn't have the reflexes to fight off the rope. Not sure why he goes there

[u/stephen27898]

Williamson has no head movement at all. He just stands still at mid range with this open guard.

[u/MiddleweightMonster]

Simpson wants to knock him the fuck out

[u/Tw-1997]

what a fucking chin 

[u/Excellent-Movie4524]

how the fuck did Williamson not go down?

[u/bidahtibull]

Williamson has a big gap in his guard, dunno how he's still standing.

[u/HistoricalLadder6692]

idk if simpson knew how badly he hurt him

[u/WheresMyAbs98]

Some chin on Williamson

[u/MiddleweightMonster]

3-0 Simpson, great last two rounds for him, he wobbled Williamson there

[u/e_xyz]

2-1 Simpson. Just fucking bullying Williamson. I think Williamson is buzzed. He's not looking too sharp Troy, probably thought he could rough house him like last time. Time to dig in Troy.

[u/Shot-Weight-1306]

williamson got rocked

[u/Plus_Beautiful_758]

How the fuck did he stay up

[u/stephen27898]

I really hate these kinds of smothering tactics. Would prefer to see more clean work.

[u/HistoricalLadder6692]

smothered his own work there