Callum Simpson Defends Titles After Sister's Death

Callum Simpson defended his British and Commonwealth super-middleweight titles with a second-round stoppage of Steed Woodall in Sheffield, marking an emotional return to the ring following the tragic death of his sister, Lily-Rae. Simpson dedicated the victory to her memory, stating, “I know she’s looking down on me and I know I’m making her proud,” while wearing her name on his shorts and robe. The fight itself was contentious; although Simpson dominated, the referee stopped the match at 1:56 of the second round, drawing criticism for the perceived premature intervention despite Woodall's resilience. Simpson improved his record to 16-0 with 11 knockouts and expressed plans for a summer return to Barnsley FC’s Oakwell stadium. He reflected on boxing as a vital outlet for his grief, emphasizing the focus it provided during a challenging time. The atmosphere in the arena was electric, with fans rallying behind Simpson throughout the match.