Callum Simpson hopes Barnsley backing will propel him to world title shot

Callum Simpson believes the 15,000-strong crowd inside Barnsley's Oakwell Stadium will catapult him into world title contention as he prepares to face Ivan Zucco for the European super-middleweight belt on Saturday.

Oakwell is set to be at full capacity for the mouth-watering showdown with 15,000 the maximum number of spectators who can attend a non-football event at the Barnsley FC stadium.

A proud Barnsley native, Simpson has assembled an enormous fanbase in his local area and it's testament to his ever-increasing popularity that the 28-year-old is selling out a football stadium for a European belt, let alone a possible world title fight that may follow if he prevails over Zucco.

The heavy-hitting Italian presents a stern test for Simpson, but one that the undefeated star feels he can successfully navigate with the support of the town behind him.

"They're not fans. They're my people, my community," Simpson told Sky Sports. "I'm one of their own and that's it. I've not changed who I am. I'm just a normal working-class Barnsley lad, Yorkshire lad, who's worked very, very hard to get to where I've got to and where I'm going. I'll never change.

"I support my community in any way I can and because they've seen that, they get behind me. It's real as well.

I'm one of them. A normal lad and I work hard to achieve my dreams.

Simpson fought at Oakwell last summer when he claimed the British and Commonwealth titles by defeating Zak Chelli by unanimous decision.

There is a long production line of Yorkshiremen that have contested major bouts at their local football stadia and Simpson is hoping he will be able to return to the venue again for a world title shot in the future - potentially against Canelo Alvarez.

"I've grown up watching Josh Warrington at Leeds Arena or Kell Brook at Sheffield Arena. I didn't realise the capacity there was 10,000. We'll be doing 15,000 [on Saturday]," Simpson said.

"It's pretty crazy. Kell Brook [at Bramall Lane] was for the world title, Josh Warrington was doing stadiums for the world title, whereas me, I did it for the British and Commonwealth, which is unheard of and I'm doing it for the European.

"To be doing those numbers for the European title, it's something special. It's credit to my supporters, it's credit to Barnsley and my community, they're getting behind me."

Jaquob Crooke

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