Callum Simpson continues to draw inspiration from Kell Brook, even at Oakwell Football Stadium, home of his beloved Barnsley FC Ground) after fighting.
The 28-year-old defends his British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles for the first time against Steed Woodall on Saturday at the Park Community Arena in Sheffield, England, which Brooke still calls home.
Perhaps Brook’s biggest game came against Errol Spence at Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane in 2017, more than two years before Simpson’s professional debut. Regardless, Simpson’s progress as a pro has proven rapid enough to land him a long-dreamed-of football match with promoter Boxxer in August 2024 against Zak Chelli. After his win, they will be ready to stage another battle there if he beats Woodall on Saturday.
Simpson first met one of his favorite boxers when he was a teenager and the retired Brooke was giving a speech. Their relationship has grown since then, with Brooke following his progress and attending matches with Cherry. Simpson may even one day be considered, like Brooke, one of the finest fighters Yorkshire has ever produced.
“I know Kyle very well,” Simpson told BoxingScene. “When I was at university I worked part-time at Scott’s men’s clothing store in Sheffield – [aged] 16; 17; 18 – They once sponsored Kell Brook. So he used to go into the store and choose whatever shoes he wanted, and I used to go buy his shoes, come down, and loosen them for him. I never mentioned I was a boxer.
“We used to get free tickets to shows at Sheffield Stadium through this and that’s why I idolized him. He used to come out to everyone [Of] Lights and I used to watch it with my colleagues and think about…the atmosphere there. “One day, it could happen. “I’ve stopped looking at him; looking up to him; being there for him at work and he actually DM’d me on Instagram during my Sky Sports debut. ‘What time is it? I’ll come over and watch you. Then he got in the ring; I got a great photo with him in the ring. He messages me every now and then; checks on me every now and then. I know he is my advocate and has good things to say about me. I’ve spoken to him a few times since that game. He walked into the locker room back and forth and said, “Well done.” This is amazing.
“I was born and raised in Barnsley, with bread. I’m a proud Yorkshire lad and I think that resonates with a lot of people from Barnsley and Yorkshire. We’re very proud people. Of course, yours The profile grows as well. We have a football team – we’ve done well in the past – but even for me, it’s surreal to watch guys like Kell Brook; prince nasim [Hamed]; Josh Warrington ; Ricky Hatton – amazing fighter, not far from me – on TV… I used to watch Kell Brook at Sheffield Stadium ) game and thought, ‘I wish that was me – you know what? Why can’t that be me? ‘, and I’m becoming that. “
Woodall, 30, could hamper Simpson’s return to play at Oakwell in the summer of 2025, and more people watched him play against Cherry than the 7,000 people who saw him play against Cherry.
“I’m proud to bring [stadium fights] Going to Barnsley – because it’s a small town we’re a very close community,” he said. “I know a lot of people – I looked around on the circuit and saw Jack from school; Amanda is My mother’s partner; my father’s friend. It’s a real personal connection. Many great boxers have no fan base; others are an average boxer but have a huge fan base. I like to think I’m a good boxer and have a good fan base as well. That’s one of the reasons we got to the top. As much as I’m training, going to fight nights and performing well, the fans and supporters are just as important. If people didn’t come to the fights, Boxxer wouldn’t invest in me and Sky wouldn’t mind, but luckily the fans got behind me and luckily I did well in the ring too.
“I’ve always been confident in my ability and preparation. My confidence as a boxer, and how I react in bright lights – you could say, I was born for this. But you don’t know until you know that even though I went into that battle with confidence, I was still fighting [the trainer] Dave Coldwell before the game – he came into the locker room – he told us when [against Ilunga Makabu, Tony] Bellew had his first stadium fight and he performed well through training and preparation, and then come fight night, go into the locker room and hear the noise, he could see he was changing. Ring Walk – He ended up getting knocked out in the first round because his head wasn’t there.
“He said, ‘Listen – I know you think you’re going to be fine, but make sure you keep a cool head’. Luckily, when I walked out I thought, ‘Yeah – this is where I should be. place”. I wasn’t nervous; so excited. Just relaxed and took it all in. I enjoyed it all, from start to finish. I loved it.”
