In a sport known for its noise and bravado, Callum Simpson is quietly becoming one of British boxing’s most compelling rising stars. Hailing from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, the undefeated super middleweight is as grounded as they come— low key outside the ring but ferocious within it. With a growing list of victories and an undeniable hunger for success, Simpson is climbing the ranks with the kind of confidence that demands attention.
What sets Simpson apart isn’t just his power or technique—it’s his humility, his tireless dedication and the strong family values that continue to shape both the man and the fighter. He remains firmly rooted in his hometown, where his journey began and credits much of his success to the unwavering support of those closest to him. Whether he’s training for his next big bout or helping at a local charity, Simpson approaches his career with a relentless work ethic and a deep gratitude for the opportunities he’s earned.
In this exclusive interview, Sean McKoy catches up with Simpson on the eve of his European title fight against Ivan Zucco to talk about life in and out of the ring—his Barnsley beginnings, the influence of his family, and his ambitions for the future.
You’re a proud Barnsley boy with a lot of support from your hometown. Tell us about how that’s shaped you as a person and as a fighter.
It’s shaped me massively as a person. I think in Barnsley we’ve got a great community; everyone helps each other out and we all get behind each other. We’re working class and I feel like we’ve been brought up in that way; we’ve got that Yorkshire grit, that toughness, that ruggedness. That’s shaped me as a person, but then also as a fighter as well. In terms of boxing, the support they’ve given me, the backing that I’ve got has been amazing. We sold out the 7,000 last year at Oakwell within two days. We sold out the Cannon Medical Arena, which was 3,000 within a week earlier on this year. We then brought a few hundred down to London three weeks after, and now we’re looking to sell 15,000 at this show. If it wasn’t for my supporters, if it wasn’t for the fans that I’ve got, well I don’t like calling them fans, they’re supporters. Most of them are my friends, people that I know. I know most of them by face, and when I do my ring walks, I recognise loads of them. I do physical tickets myself and I’m the one putting their names in my Excel spreadsheet. I’m Barnsley-born and bred, I’m a Yorkshire lad and I’m proud of it.
Shorts: 47 Brand MLB Oakland Aesthetics
Would you credit your relationship with your family as a big part of your success so far?
I would say so. I’ve got seven brothers and sisters, and I’ve got an amazing family. I know I’ve got the support of them behind me, and they always keep me grounded – they’ve got great morals and integrity, and I feel like I carry that, and I want to make them proud. I want to be a good role model for my brothers and sisters, my niece and nephew, and be someone that they can look up to.
Shirt: Levi’s
Trousers: French Connection
You’ve built a reputation for your explosive style in the ring. How would you describe yourself as a fighter?
I’d say as a boxer I’m trying to become a complete fighter. As you’ve said, I’ve got an explosive style so I can box, I can punch, I can box on the front foot, back foot, mid-range, but for me my preferred style is walking forward as a high-pressure explosive fighter and to be exciting. I know that as a boxing fan, I would like to see me fight, I would want to see someone my style, who’s going to come forward on the front foot, throw a lot of punches and get me on the edge of my seat.
Every boxer has a defining fight. Which one do you feel has been the most pivotal in your career so far and why?
For me it would be the fight at Oakwell last year, against Zak Chelli, when I won the British Commonwealth title. There are a few reasons; one, I was headlining at my hometown football stadium, which is bigger than a dream come true, in front of my home crowd for the British Commonwealth title, amazing. Two, it was my first 12-round fight, so in terms of a boxing development sense, I ticked a lot of boxes. I proved I can go 12 rounds at a very good pace, I proved I can handle the pressure of 7,000 people, shouting my name, and all the build-up and it was my first headline fight as well, first headline on Sky Sports which is massive for me.
Trousers: French Connection
How do you handle the pressure and adversity that comes with being a professional fighter?
I don’t really feel pressure, I use that word because that’s the easiest way for other people to describe it, but for me it’s more expectation. But no one puts more expectation on myself than me. My confidence comes from training extremely hard and believing in my ability. I don’t believe I’m going to get to the top, I know I’m going to get to the top. For me, it’s already done, it’s a foregone conclusion as long as I keep doing what I’m doing. I’m not going to take my foot off the gas, I’m going to keep on pushing, I’m not the kind of person that’s going to slip up or mess up. I’m very determined, very committed, and it’s going to happen.
What’s your ultimate goal in boxing — world title, legacy, financial freedom, or something else?
There’ll be a few things. Firstly, I want to become the best boxer I can become. I believe me becoming the best version of myself will allow me to win world titles at super middleweight, and then step up to light heavyweight, and win world titles there as well. Obviously, I want to make a lot of money, but I also want to be able to make amazing memories for my family, for my friends and my supporters. I love hearing the stories of people coming to watch my fights and it’s such a privilege that I can bring these big fight nights to them and have such a big occasion for people to support. Or even giving them someone to get behind and to be proud of as well. I want to continue to do that. I make sure I enjoy every day, as hard as it is in camp, as hard as training is, I try and enjoy it all, because I’m so grateful that I get to experience the life that I’m experiencing.
Jumper: KidSuper
Shorts: KidSuper
Trainers: Steve Madden
Socks: Callum’s own
You’ve stepped up from Commonwealth to European level quickly. Are you eyeing that world level title now?
Definitely. I’ve got a big fight on June 7th (against Ivan Zucco) but I feel like I’ve come up the hard way, I’ve won the area title in my 10th fight, WBA Intercontinental title against a tough Mexican fighter, won the British Commonwealth against the reigning champion, defended my British title against the mandatory challenger, defended my Commonwealth title, so now the natural step up is to fight for the European next. I’ve come up the traditional route, I’m not just trying to navigate around picking and choosing fights and winning an international title to get a world ranking. I’ve got to where I am from merit and hard work and having proper fights, and again, this is a proper fight. He’s 21-0, 18 knockouts and we’ll find out if he’s the real deal or if I’m the real deal. Then once I win the European, I want to certify myself at that level, hopefully get one or two defenses in, and then push on next year. I want to be fighting for a world title by the end of next year.
As you mentioned, you’re returning to Oakwell stadium for your next fight with Ivan Zucco for the European super-middleweight title. How are you feeling about it?
Feeling good, I’m excited. It’s crazy that I fought there last year, because some fighters never get to headline in their hometown in their career so when I knew I would be fighting there I couldn’t believe it and then to get told I’m doing it again less than 10 months later, it’s crazy, such a privilege. It’s just a credit to my supporters, because if I didn’t have the support I had, I wouldn’t be doing the stadium fight. I’m looking forward to it, to stepping up in levels and stepping up in opponent.
Vest: Chateau Orlando
Jeans: CAT
How do you spend your time outside of the ring?
Outside of the ring, because boxing is such a big part of my life, everything that I do is pretty much boxing related, so if I’m not in the actual boxing gym, then I’m probably out running, doing a strength session, or doing some technical or recovery work. Where I’m at in my career, you’ve got to sacrifice a lot, you’ve got to miss out on a lot of things. So, I can’t just go out with my mates on a weekend or go out for loads of food. At the minute I train twice a day, six days a week, and I rest on a Sunday, so in between my sessions, I’m trying to recover. I’ve got media obligations, and I try and do a bit of charity work as well. So, it’s very hard to fit hobbies into it, as well as trying to be a good partner to my fiancée and then trying to be a good brother and son.
You’ve been doing a lot of charity work recently, becoming an ambassador for Barnsley Food Bank. Is charitable work something you want to be further involved in?
Definitely. It’s something that I’ve wanted to be involved in for a while, it’s just trying to find the time and the right charity that I can get behind. I’ve done work for a children’s hospice before in the past, trying to raise money for them, but obviously it’s very hard to give my time to one, but with Barnsley Food Bank, I’ve become an official ambassador, and it’s something I feel I can give a lot to. I feel like I can really make a difference and because Barnsley’s always got behind me it’s only right that I give something back to the people. It’s 2025, no one should be going without food, no one should be worried about when their next meal is, children shouldn’t be going to school without breakfast or not being able to come home and have dinner. If I can just do my bit for Barnsley hopefully other people can take inspiration from that, I can make a difference in my area as well, and hopefully it just grows and grows.
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What’s something most people would be surprised to learn about you?
I love to cook, I don’t know if people would be surprised by that, but I love to cook. It’s something that I’ve enjoyed doing from about 10 years old. I used to read recipe books, and I’d ask for a bit of money to go to Morrison’s so I could cook the meals and I’ve been making Sunday dinners for the full family since I was 11 years old. I think that because I’ve boxed from a very young age, I’ve been very fortunate to understand diet and nutrition.
How would the people closest to you describe you? And do you think your supporters would say the same?
I think they’d say I’m very authentic, I’m very real. A lot of people that I meet, they say I’m exactly how you see me on TV or how you see me on interviews, I am the exact same in person. I like to think I’m a good person and I think I’m quite funny at times.
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What’s a goal you’d like to achieve outside of boxing?
I’ve got a clothing brand that I’m working on at the minute that will hopefully be launching later this year. I’m hoping to get into more business ventures in terms of restaurants and food places and then in general just being smart with my money, so when I finish my boxing career I’m not looking back and thinking I’ve got nothing to show for it. I want to be able to enjoy my life after boxing.
And another goal is just being happy to be honest. Obviously, I know that not every day you’re going to be happy, that’s life, but just being able to look back and be proud of myself and be happy with what I’ve done, the journey that I’m on. Being ready for the next day and the next chapter, that’s perfect for me. I feel I’ve got so much to be happy for, so much to be grateful for. I’ve got an amazing fiancée, amazing Mum, Dad, step-Mum, brothers and sisters, good close friends, my local community, my supporters and I just want to keep making everyone proud.
Follow Callum on Instagram: @callumsimp
Thank you Joe Brett @blackbookpr
Team:
Photographer: Jacquetta Clark @ jacquettaclark
Lighting Technician: Isabella Armora @howimwastingtime
Fashion Stylist and Editor: Charmaine McKoy @charmainemckoystyle
Deputy Editor/Interview: Sean McKoy @sean.amck
Grooming: Louise Lerego @louise.lerego
Videographer: Nana Opoku-Agyeman @official_solarflare
Cover Design: Sofia Devita @sofia.devita
