Callum Simpson stops Steed Woodall early to retain titles on emotional night time | Boxing

Callum Simpson defended his British and Commonwealth super-middleweight titles with a second-round stoppage of Steed Woodall on an emotional night time in Sheffield.

Simpson was preventing for the primary time because the demise of his sister, Lily-Rae, on the age of 19. “I’m feeling bittersweet,” he advised Sky Sports activities after his fast victory. “There’s one one who everybody is aware of I want was right here, however I do know she’s wanting down on me and I do know I’m making her proud.

“I introduced my [family] into the ring simply to point out that she’s not right here, however she’s right here in spirit,” the 28-year-old added. “I’ve nonetheless acquired lots to be glad about.” Simpson wore his sister’s identify on his shorts and gown for the battle; Lily-Rae died following a quad bike accident whereas on vacation in Greece final August.

Barnsley fighter Simpson was the heavy crowd favorite on the Canon Medical Enviornment, up towards Birmingham’s Woodall, who got here into the battle with a report of two losses in 22 bouts. Woodall supplied some harmful pictures early within the spherical, however Simpson asserted his superiority with a strong right-left mixture.

Early within the second spherical, Simpson despatched his opponent to the canvas and though Woodall acquired to his ft, the referee stopped the battle quickly after with the challenger caught on the ropes. Simpson improves to 16-0 with 11 wins by knockout, and stated afterwards he’s planning a summer season return to Barnsley FC’s Oakwell stadium.

“Jon Flatman [Barnsley’s CEO] was ringside and I requested if we might mess up his pitch once more this summer season,” stated Simpson, who defeated Zak Chelli on the soccer floor final summer season. “He’s given us permission, so we’re gonna be again at Oakwell subsequent summer season,” Simpson confirmed to BBC Radio Sheffield.

“I used to be anticipating a a lot tougher battle,” Simpson stated of Saturday night time’s victory. “I’ve skilled exhausting, ready very well, and provide you with some clear pictures. The referee saved him, I feel. He was just one extra shot from taking place once more.”

Earlier in Sheffield, Caroline Dubois retained her newly-acquired WBC light-weight title in irritating trend after her contest with Jessica Camara was declared a technical draw.

Dubois, who was upgraded from interim to full WBC title holder at 135lbs after Katie Taylor vacated the belt final month, dropped her Canadian rival within the first spherical. Camara was combating a nasty lower above her left eye and was deemed unfit to proceed by the ringside physician earlier than the third spherical might start.

As a result of the gash was brought on by an unintended conflict of heads and fewer than 4 rounds had been accomplished, the foundations stipulate a draw needed to be declared somewhat than going to the judges’ scorecards, spoiling Dubois’ hopes of marking her maiden world title defence – and twenty fourth birthday – in fashion.

Dubois (now 10-0-1 with 5 KOs) supplied an unflattering evaluation of her opponent, who was additionally left with heavy swelling over her proper eye and a bloodied nostril. “I don’t assume she wished it,” Dubois stated on Sky Sports activities. “I hit her with a straight proper and knocked her down within the first spherical.

“I noticed her proper eye was swelling up and that was from a punch. With the lower, the blood wasn’t coming in her face, it was coming around the aspect of her face,” the Londoner added. “It was getting stopped by the physician or I used to be stopping it.”

Dubois, who’s the youthful sister of males’s world heavyweight champion Daniel, has now set her sights on unifying the division towards British compatriot Terri Harper, the WBO champion. “Terri Harper, that’s who I would like,” she advised Sky Sports activities.