Callum Simpson vs Troy Williamson rematch to be announced tomorrow in Manchester

Callum Simpson vs Troy Williamson 2

Tomorrow, Tuesday, June 9, a press conference will be held in Manchester with both super-middleweight rivals Callum Simpson and Troy Williamson in attendance and available for interviews alongside BOXXER Founder Ben Shalom with major announcements to be revealed.

34-year-old Williamson began his resurgence in the 168lbs division with a victory over Mark Dickinson for the English title. Then, three months later in December, he defeated Callum Simpson via TKO 10 to claim the British, Commonwealth and European super-middleweight titles.

Troy was next in line to fight for a world title against IBF and IBO champ Osleys Iglesias.

But after his former foe Simpson activated the rematch clause in their contract, his world title dreams were put on hold. As a result, he’s also had to vacate the European belt as the EBU do not honour rematches, so Williamson-Simpson 2 will move on with just the British and Commonwealth titles on the line.

However, that date has been pushed back constantly so that Darlington's Williamson hasn't fought at all this year.

Troy Williamson has voiced his frustrations many times in recent months, “Not many boxers get the opportunity to fight for a world title. I was next in line, let me go and fight for a world title.

“If Simpson is injured, or whatever, why can’t he make that date? Let me go and fight for a world title, and I’ll give you a defence for the title. I don’t see the harm; they’re obviously blocking me from getting that shot,” Troy accused.

“It’s ridiculous, it’s frustrating! I could understand it if it was close, but he’s [Simpson] making a bad decision activating the rematch, because how can you come back off two back-to-back knockouts?” Troy stated.

Simpson is notoriously big for super-middleweight, and Troy believes it is in Simpson’s best interest to forget the rematch and move up in weight. “He’s in a similar situation as I was previously. He needs to move up; he’s too big for a super-middleweight.

“I don’t think that’s the reason why I won, I think I’m just a better fighter, but it played a part, because I know how much it takes out of you when you’re killing yourself to make the weight.

“It’s been five months since the first fight; it’s only going to get harder and harder for him to make the weight, so that’s why it won’t go past six rounds this time,” Troy predicted.

Despite the frustration of having to do the rematch, Troy said he is extra motivated to make a statement. “I need to make a bigger statement than what I did in the first fight, that is why it won’t go past six!”

When asked if the rematch, which has been spoken about to take place next month, is halting his momentum, Williamson said, “I’ll class this as my world title fight, because I know once I get rid of him, I’ll definitely get my world title shot after.”