Former world champion has no doubt who wins Troy Williamson vs Callum Simpson rematch

Former World champion backs Troy Williamson to do the double over rival: "It wasn't a fluke! He beat Callum Simpson up"

Troy Williamson may be heading into his rematch with Callum Simpson as a slight outsider with some of the experts, but former bantamweight world champion Stuart Hall thinks there should be no doubt after the Trojan's performance in their first meeting back in December.

Williamson produced one of the standout nights in his already impressive career when he forced Simpson to quit in the 10th round. But the build-up to their second meeting has been far from straightforward.

After months of frustration for Williamson surrounding the rematch, the Darlington fighter now has the chance to prove that his previous victory was no one-off.

Speaking ahead of the fight, Stuart Hall gave his clear assessment of how the first fight went and what he expects to happen when the two finally meet again in August.

"It wasn't a fluke. It wasn't just a lucky punch that put him down. He beat Callum Simpson up! When he hits him with that right hand, he's going to feel it. And you can't run for 12 rounds," Stuart told the team at Pure Digital PR.

Weighing in on the frustration that Troy will have gone through over the months of uncertainty waiting for the fight to be announced, Stuart said: "He deserves everything. What he's just been through these last six months with this rematch stuff, it's horrendous. I personally think it's just going to get him revved up even more. I'm expecting an explosive performance from Troy."

The build-up to this rematch has been nothing short of difficult. With the fight needing to be rescheduled each time. This has meant a loss of money and opportunities for Williamson, who had done everything necessary to uphold his side of the bargain.

Hall was keen to stress that rematch clauses do have their place in boxing, particularly when a fighter believes they can put a defeat right. However, he feels there should be greater protection for boxers left waiting when a second fight is repeatedly delayed.

"When you sign a rematch clause, you sign a rematch clause," Hall said. "But on the time scale, yes. There should be something in the contracts where if it's more than six months, they can fight and then they've got to fight after or something like that."

For Williamson, the uncertainty has meant more than simply waiting for a date to be confirmed. A fighter's career can move quickly when momentum is on their side, and every delay can mean missed opportunities elsewhere.

Not only did this mean a loss of earnings, but also the opportunity to fight live on Netflix as part of the Tyson Fury undercard and potentially fight for world honours for the current British champion.

This isn't the first time Williamson has faced adversity in his career, having lost three fights in a row and contemplated retirement. The Darlington fighter got a new lease of life after teaming up with Twins Academy head coach Jordan Williams, and he looks like he's back to his very best.

There has been much talk that a potential world title shot isn't far away for Troy should he win his rematch in August. Hall, knowing what it takes to get to that level, gave his thoughts on whether he can see Williamson reaching the world stage; he said: "One hundred per cent… he's an absolute tough 12-round fighter, and he's got so much belief. If you believe in yourself in boxing, that's half the battle."

Hall also questioned why Williamson is still being viewed as an outsider by some experts, particularly given how the first fight unfolded.

"Of course it's wrong. I was gobsmacked when I heard that," he said.

Hall believes the result in December was not simply down to one moment, arguing that Williamson's experience and work rate over a longer distance could again prove decisive.

"He hasn't even been 12 rounds. Troy's walked 12 rounds how many times and always comes on strong. He's tough, he's hard, and he's a 12-round fighter."

For Hall, that class and experience matter most if the fight were to reach the latter stages, knowing that Troy has an engine and has been the distance several times, while Simpson has yet to go all twelve rounds in his career.

Winning a world title remains the achievement that nobody can take away from Stuart Hall. He knows how much it meant to his own family, and while he was reluctant to speak for the whole town, there is no doubt a world title for Williamson would be a huge moment for Darlington.

"I don't have a clue what it meant to people at Darlington, you know? So I don't really know, but it meant a lot to me," Hall said. "It meant a lot to my family, and it meant a lot to me for what I've been through in my life."

Until then, Williamson's focus is on getting through Simpson once more. If Hall is right, a statement win in August could move him one step closer to bringing another world title back to Darlington.

Williamson vs Simpson will be broadcast live on DAZN.