Troy Williamson vs Callum Simpson 2 fight predictions

Troy Williamson vs Callum Simpson 2 - Who wins the grudge rematch?

Troy Williamson vs Callum Simpson 2 takes place this weekend, August 8 in Leeds, live on DAZN.

The 'Trojan' Troy Williamson (22-4-1, 16 KOs) stopped the undefeated Barnsley boxer Callum Simpson (18-1, 13 KOs) in December last year at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, the same setting for the rematch.

Troy ripped away the defending champion's British, Commonwealth and European super-middleweight titles with a devastating 10th round knockout win.

The 34-year-old from Darlington had the opportunity to go forth and fight for Osleys Iglesias' IBF and IBO world titles, but BOXXER and Simpson’s decision to enforce the rematch clause delayed that opportunity, causing Williamson to vent his frustrations.

“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 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.

“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?”

With irritations and anger running high, one man frustrated and bitter at being held back and the other desperate for revenge and redemption, the return fight this weekend in Leeds is already reaching boiling point.

So GBN asked their panel of experts who they are picking to win the Williamson-Simpson grudge rematch on Saturday night.

Wayne Alexander

Former British, European, World welterweight champion

"You have to give Callum Simpson credit for taking the rematch after getting stopped convincingly in the first fight.

"I'm not sure how it has affected Callum mentally having his first ever defeat as a professional, but he did look vulnerable in the latter stages of the fight and I think this will be the issue again in the rematch.

"Troy will have grown in confidence from that contest and knows that Callum can’t really hurt him, so I'm going for a similar fight to the first one with Callum doing very well to last the distance after doing ok for the first six rounds.

"Rematches normally end the same way as the first fight."

Keith Sullivan

Boxing Manager to Paddy Donovan, Kristian Prenga

"It should be an exciting main event fight in Leeds, a great fight town. I am giving the edge to Williamson, but only slightly. 

"He showed his ring experience helped him stay in the fight during the late rounds, and more importantly that he can hurt Simpson, which will significantly boost his confidence in this rematch.

"I am sure we will see tactical adjustments from Simpson, namely trying to get his opponent out early and avoid hanging around in the later rounds when Simpson is more vulnerable. 

"If I were managing Williamson, I would advise him not to chase an early knockout. Let the fight unfold, allowing Simpson to exert himself trying to outwork Williamson again. Focus on the body early to help accelerate Simpson's decline, and by round six turn up the heat on him and make him feel the power shots that he delivered in round 10 of their first fight."

Max Jay Shears

Pro Boxing Fans writer

"This is a genuine pick ’em fight that could swing either way. If Simpson has gelled well with his new setup, he should have enough to secure a wide points decision."

Ethan O'Connor

YouTube boxing reporter

"Really good fight this again, I think Simpson comes out with a lot more to offer this time around, but going to back my fellow Middlesbrough, Troy, compatriot to retain his British titles."

Tim Rickson

GBN Editor

"Rematches often go the same way as the first fight, depending on who the fighters are, of course. In this grudge match, I believe it follows the same trend.

"Williamson has got that experience over 12 rounds, he's got that grit and gut to just keep going, making life difficult more and more as the rounds go on. Coupled with the frustrations he must be feeling at being held back from bigger fights while Simpson and his team made him wait, he is likely to be more dangerous and potent than ever.

"I don't wish to see Simpson lose again, as back-to-back defeats will be very damaging for his career, but he's only 29 with a huge, passionate fanbase, so he should be able to regroup and continue with his career, perhaps up at light-heavyweight for a brand-new domestic campaign.

"Simpson could win on points if he is able to avoid any big shots, but he has been dropped several times recently, so I can envisage this occurring yet again. I've got Williamson by stoppage, but only if his emotions don't get the better of him because he seems frustrated."

Alexander McGibbon

GBN's Malta boxing columnist

"Simpson, unlike other fights, where he's quite confident and energetic, now seems fully-focused, whereas Williamson seems a lot more emotional, and less 'locked-in' on the task at hand.

"Due to this, I can see two avenues for this fight to head down. Williamson can go out gun-ho, guns-blazing, and stop the Barnsley man in under three rounds or Simpson can employ his newfound, more technical boxing skills from his new trainer.

"I see the latter occuring. A Simpson shutout points win doesn't seem too far-fetched for me, but can the Darlington man prove he's now levels above his opponent?"

Anish Parekh

GBN writer

"I like this rematch and feel that domestic/European level fights have been terribly neglected in recent years. Those matchups do so much to elevate the profiles and skills of fighters and provide great entertainment even if those fighters don’t reach the heights of world level. 

"The first fight was entertaining and I expect similar in the return. Simpson will be desperate to avenge his defeat but I wonder if the manner of the loss and the the weight itself might be a mental and physical hindrance to him. Williamson is experienced and will know that another victory would present new opportunities to progress his career. 

"I’ll go with Williamson by close decision."

Florian Winter

German boxing promoter

"The rematch between Troy Williamson and Callum Simpson promises to be a tactical and physical battle.

"Williamson is likely to win if he can replicate the experience and discipline from the first fight to keep Simpson at bay. He has already proven he can control the pace.

"Simpson can win if he has learned from his first defeat, applies more aggressive pressure, and disrupts Williamson’s rhythm early. As an up-and-comer with high energy, he may find the adjustments needed to overcome Williamson this time.

"While Williamson holds the psychological advantage of the first win, making him a slight favourite, Simpson’s hunger for revenge leaves the outcome wide open."

Oskari Metz

"The first fight was quite the scrap. I think Simpson gave away his long-range advantage by chasing Williamson, while Williamson fought a smart fight with a simple game plan. For the first half of the fight, he retreated, maintained the distance, and jumped in with quick 1–2s as Simpson advanced. Towards the end, as Simpson started to slow down, Williamson switched things up. He began slipping Simpson's jab and countering with a quick 2–1. He caught Simpson with that combination in the ninth and then again, even more cleanly, in the tenth. That was essentially the end of it.

"Going into the rematch, it's hard to say… will Williamson change his tactics or stick with what worked the first time? Either way, Simpson will need to be much more disciplined and make better use of his long jab instead of following Williamson around the ring. Habitually stepping in with the jab like that when you’re the taller man isn’t a great idea.

"Based on what I saw in the first fight, I'm backing Williamson to win again. He was the smarter, more patient fighter, and the punishment Simpson took in the later rounds may have left some lasting effects, both physically and psychologically."

Paul Speak

Boxing manager

"This is a tough one, rematches usually go the way of the first fight, Callum has had a change of trainer and he knows where he went wrong in the first fight so if he keeps his composure and fights his ownfight,doesn’t get drawn in to a war, I see him winning by points."

What has Troy predicted, himself?

Over in six, Williamson predicts

“It’s been 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.

“I need to make a bigger statement than what I did in the first fight; that is why it won’t go past six!

“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.”