SO, WHO is the novice from Barnsley who’s serving to Artur Beterbiev put together to defend his light-heavyweight belts towards Anthony Yarde in London?
Supervisor Kevin Maree calls Callum Simpson “the most effective prospect within the nation, bar none,” predicts he’ll beat Ben Whittaker in a battle that British boxing wants. Higher nonetheless, Beterbiev can also be a fan of the 26-year-old Central Space super-middleweight champion.
Simpson (10-0) and stablemate Billy Deniz (7-0) headed to Canada to spar Beterbiev earlier than Christmas – and have been invited again.
“They stated to me, ‘Loads of fighters get out after one spherical, they will’t take his energy,’” stated Simpson in between visits to Montreal, the place he was sparring the world champion.
“However I used to be difficult him and so they requested me to return again after Christmas. They stated we have been excellent sparring. I’m quick, fairly highly effective and have the shoulder-roll defence and Billy has the identical posture as Yarde and is quick and powerful. Crucial factor is, we’re each very recreation. We don’t draw back from a problem.”
Simpson says sparring Beterbiev is an actual problem.
“Consider the hype!” he stated of the 37-year-old who’s received all 18 fights inside the space and has held some world belt or different since November, 2017.
“You’ll be able to see why he’s had all these knockouts and why some individuals get in there to spar him, take a couple of photographs after which soar straight again out once more. He’s an entire boxer, however the primary factor is his energy. He’s so sturdy and he lands clubbing punches.”
Simpson, who has stropped his final eight opponents inside the space himself, was cautious to not give away too many secrets and techniques of Beterbiev’s secrets and techniques when speaking to Boxing Information.
He stated: “As quickly as I acquired there, he [Beterbiev] stated one thing to his coach [Marc Ramsay]. He wished to know why that they had introduced two English guys over. He wished to know if we knew Yarde and if I used to be his spy! I instructed him we didn’t know him. I didn’t need him to get mad!”
Simpson described Beterbiev as “very disciplined” and added: “The very fact they requested me again tells you one thing. They don’t have mugs over there.”
Maree charges Simpson extremely, saying: “In my view, he’s the most effective prospect within the nation, bar none.
“He has been sparring at my fitness center since he was a younger lad and I’ve acquired him boxing recurrently now. Promotionally, he’s a free agent, however we received’t signal something except it’s proper for Callum. We’d like a promoter who thinks he’s as particular as I do.
“Trying on the three predominant promoters, BT Sport would make him their flagship fighter after Yarde and Fury transfer on, Eddie Hearn would love his seems and character and make him a worldwide star and BOXXER may make a battle with Ben Whittaker.
“They’re each younger stars who want a dance associate and to me, it has the look of a Nigel Benn-Chris Eubank rivalry.
“Whittaker is flashy and flamboyant and Callum is a down-to-earth, snarling knockout machine. I believe individuals thought Eubank had a twinkle in his eye, however I’m unsure the general public will heat to Whittaker in the identical method they warmed to him. He comes throughout as boastful.
“There was discuss of Adam Azim and Dalton Smith preventing, however that appears unlikely now Dalton has dedicated his future to Matchroom and boxing wants home rivalries for the followers to get enthusiastic about. They might even match Ben and Callum early of their careers, the best way they did with George Groves and James DeGale.
“Callum Simpson-Ben Whittaker can be an enormous battle – and Callum Simpson would win it.”
Simpson made the step as much as championship stage in his final battle, stopping Ben Ridings (5-2) for the vacant Central Space belt in his first battle at 168lbs in October.
“He hadn’t been stopped earlier than,” stated Simpson, “and I believed it could be more durable than it was. Ben stated afterwards I used to be the most effective he’s been in with and he’s been in with (former Nice Britain beginner worldwide) Thomas Whittaker-Hart.
“I don’t have that one-punch knockout energy, however I don’t suppose individuals I get within the ring with anticipate me to place collectively as many punches as I do and keep on them.”
Simpson begins quick as effectively. The Mark Hurley-trained puncher has had 5 wins inside a spherical since making his professional debut in June, 2019.
He turned over after 53 beginner bouts. Simpson by no means acquired past the quarter-finals of any championships and stated: “I used to be sparring professionals from the age of 15, individuals like Mark Heffron and Lyndon Arthur, and that basically introduced me on.”
Think about what he’ll be like after sparring Beterbiev.
