Troy Williamson crowned British, Commonwealth and European super-middleweight champion

Williamson drops Simpson four times in suprise stoppage win

"Trojan" Troy Williamson (22-4-1, 16 KOs) upset the odds to stop undefeated defending champion Callum Simpson (18-1, 13 KOs) in brilliant fashion to win the British, Commonwealth and European super-middleweight titles.

Barnsley's boxing icon Simpson was the home hero at the First Direct Bank Arena on Saturday, December 20, but was forced onto the back foot for much of the bout, struggling to deal with the smaller man's overhand rights.

The pressure told in the 10th as Simpson was repeatedly knocked down and forced to defend the onslaught without a mouthguard.

Referee Lee Every stopped the contest after the fourth knockdown at 2:21 of the 10th round and a jubilant Williamson claimed Simpson's trio of titles.

"Nobody believes in me more than myself. This is my weight division and I showed it tonight," 34-year-old Williamson said.

"This is deep. I carry this piece of paper with me every single day in my car and I read it to myself four or five times a day. I put it in my sock tonight.

"I signed it on 28 October and it says 'I will become British, Commonwealth and European champion on 20 December. I will knock out Callum Simpson'.

"Tonight, you have got yourself a new champion."

Williamson, from Darlington in County Durham, becomes a two-weight British champion having also won the Lonsdale belt at super-welterweight four years ago in 2021 - and put a torrid run of results behind him after recently losing four from five fights.

Simpson, meanwhile, fell to his first professional defeat in 19 fights and after being serenaded with "Yorkshire, Yorkshire, Yorkshire" chants by a raucous crowd for most of the night, quickly jumped on the microphone to quell potential trouble in the audience.

The Barnsley boxer sells most of his tickets personally among his fans and paid tribute to the large, loyal support after the loss.

Simpson was ahead on the judges' scorecards when he was stopped in the 10th.

"I thought I was winning most of the rounds. It was always going to be a tough fight with Troy and I got caught with a very good shot," he said.

"I want to say thank you to everyone who turned out tonight and is still here now.

"I have just been put down and everyone is still here, cheering my name. I will not forget that.

"We've got a rematch. I will get back to work, come back and correct this. Thank you for sticking with me. I will be back."

A rematch could be on the cards in 2026 and Williamson said he welcomed "all comers" in the New Year.

"This one is for my baby boy at home," Williamson said.

"He comes up to me every single day and says 'and the new...' I don't even have to tell him.

"I promised him I was bringing the belts back to him in the hotel tonight and I am absolutely over the moon."

Williamson added: "This fight has changed my life. I have always wanted my children to have a better upbringing than I had.

"I deserve that tonight with a performance of a lifetime. I have changed mine and my kids' lives for the better."