Callum Simpson stops Steed Woodall in two rounds, retains British title 

Callum Simpson retained his British super middleweight title on Saturday by stopping Steed Woodall in two rounds at the Park Community Arena in Sheffield, England.

Barnsley’s Simpson, now 16-0 (11 KOs), was fighting for the first time since losing his beloved younger sister and walked to the ring with her name stitched to the back of his robe. Simpson dropped Woodall, now 19-3 (12 KOs), with heavy shots early in the second. The fight was stopped by referee Mark Bates shortly after at the 1 minute, 56 seconds mark after Simpson landed a few more punches.

“If he didn’t stop it then, he was going to stop it half a second later,” said Simpson on the stoppage. “For me it should have been stopped. Atleast Steed is alright, healthy because I knocked him down, he was still on unsteady legs. Anyone who knows me, that was at the start of the round, he would have gone down again. The referee did his job and kept him safe.”

Woodall, 30, came out fast at the sound of the opening bell, looking to land the right hand that brought him so much success in his last bout against Lerrone Richards, whom he stopped in six rounds last June. Simpson adapted well and finished the round with a powerful left hand that knocked back the head of Woodall. 

Simpson started the second how he ended the first and backed the retreating Woodall to the ropes with a sharp right uppercut. Simpson unloaded on his opponent and Woodall could not get out of the way of a hard left hook from Simpson. The left hand hurt Woodall and Simpson followed it up with a right that sent the challenger to his knees.

Woodall took a few seconds to recover before returning to his feet. The referee allowed the fight to continue but strangely intervened after Simpson landed a couple of shots that Woodall took well. Woodall and his corner were frustrated with the decision to call a halt to the contest after their man had seemingly recovered from the knockdown well.