Latest news with #IvanZucco
BBC News
07-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Simpson survives two knockdowns to stop Zucco
Super-middleweight Callum Simpson picked himself up off the canvas twice before securing a stunning stoppage victory over Ivan Zucco in his home town of 28, made history as he maintained his unbeaten record (18-0) to become the town's first European champion when he stopped Italy's Zucco in the 10th round at Barnsley FC's Oakwell Stadium. The Englishman dedicated the win to his sister, Lily-Rae Simpson, who died aged 19 in a car accident in Greece last year."Not once did I give up, in those last few rounds I'll be honest I started thinking about my little sister Lily," Simpson said."I'll be honest, I just thought I had to push for her and for everybody. This time last year, Lily was sat up here cheering me on and she was there with me tonight when it got tough, when it got hard."From round eight, I thought, 'I've got to dig deep, I've got to keep pushing, I've got to do it for her'. She was with me tonight."With the win, Simpson puts himself in prime contention for a step up to world level by the end of the the raucous Oakwell crowd feared the worse with only eight seconds on the clock in in the opening round when Zucco downed Simpson with a hard left shook off the early knockdown and buzzed Zucco with some fine punching of his own, but the home favourite was caught too square in the third round, dropped for the second time by a left on by 23,000 inside the football ground, Simpson was not to be deterred and he continued to advance - taking a number of risks along the sensed an opening in the 10th round as he stalked Zucco before launching a stunning left uppercut on the chin of his opponent - who then sank to his knees before beating the was subjected to another punishing uppercut and slumped to his knees but he bravely rose on the count of eight, until a third knockdown meant the Italian's corner pulled their man out of the fight.
The Sun
07-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Callum Simpson credits late sister for inspiring comeback Ivan Zucco KO after being dropped EIGHT SECONDS into fight
CALLUM SIMPSON called on inspiration from his late sister Lily Rae to come from behind and stop Ivan Zucco to win the European title. Simpson suffered the devastating news that his 19-year-old sister had tragically died last year in a quad bike accident on holiday in Greece. 5 5 But the Barnsley boxing hero - who headlined at the Oakwell Football Ground - continues to fight in Lily Rae's honour. And she would have watched on with pride as her big brother came back to stop Zucco in round ten after three knockdowns. Simpson, crowned the European super-middleweight champion, said: "Not once did I give up, those last few rounds I'll be honest I started thinking about my little sister Lily. "I'll be honest, I just thought I had to push for her and for everybody. "This time last year, Lily was sat up here cheering me on and she was there with me tonight when it got tough, when it got hard. "From round eight, I thought, 'I've got to dig deep, I've got to keep pushing, I've gotta do it for her. She was with me tonight." Simpson filled Barnsley's 23,000-seater - but he got off to a horror start after being floored by only the second punch Zucco threw. Simpson made it to his feet with little trouble but opted to try and make Zucco pay - and buzzed the travelling Italian himself before the bell sounded. The opener was a frenzy of wild shots with both men hurt and the following two rounds was much of the same. And again Simpson was down in round three after a huge left hand as the chaos continued. 'We never know' - Tyson Fury refuses to rule out comeback as Anthony Joshua nears new 'amazing' fight deal The former British and Commonwealth super-middleweight had to pick himself up and dust himself off to turn the fight around. And that is exactly what he did with constant pressure in the second half of the fight turning the tide. By round ten, Simpson was on the front foot and trapped Zucco in the corner - letting off a devastating triple uppercut. It dropped Zucco - who got to his feet - but again he was pinned in the corner and floored with two of the same shots. The underdog European once again made it to his feet but Simpson, smelling blood, jumped on Zucco and forced him to the floor with a barrage of shots. This time there was no coming back for Zucco - as Simpson turned the fight on its head with a comeback victory for the ages. 5 5
The Sun
07-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Callum Simpson vs Ivan Zucco LIVE RESULT: Simpson DROPPED TWICE but earns BRILLIANT win in fight of the year contender
Good evening everyone! Hello boxing fans and welcome to a big night of coverage from the home of Barnsley FC, Oakwell. It's a big night for Callum Simpson as he steps up to fight for the European title against Ivan Zucco. Both fighters are unbeaten but Simpson enters the home fight as the big favourite. The Barnsley brawler has been making some big claims in the run up to this fight and has some big names on his mind. Earlier this week, he revealed he wants to face the likes of Hamzah Sheeraz, Chris Eubank Jr and Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez. He has to get through the tough Italian first, though.
The Sun
07-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Callum Simpson vs Ivan Zucco LIVE RESULTS: Main event ON NEXT from Barnsley stadium Oakwell – fight time, updates
Good evening everyone! Hello boxing fans and welcome to a big night of coverage from the home of Barnsley FC, Oakwell. It's a big night for Callum Simpson as he steps up to fight for the European title against Ivan Zucco. Both fighters are unbeaten but Simpson enters the home fight as the big favourite. The Barnsley brawler has been making some big claims in the run up to this fight and has some big names on his mind. Earlier this week, he revealed he wants to face the likes of Hamzah Sheeraz, Chris Eubank Jr and Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez. He has to get through the tough Italian first, though.
The Sun
07-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Callum Simpson vs Ivan Zucco LIVE RESULTS: Card on NOW as Adam Azim returns on huge Barnsley bill – fight time, updates
CALLUM SIMPSON will be looking to take the next step towards a world title shot as he faces undefeated Italian Ivan Zucco TONIGHT! The proud Barnsley native will be looking to put on a show in front of a home crowd as he looks to add the vacant European 168lb strap to his collection. The big stadium fight takes place at the home of the Tykes, Oakwell. The explosive Adam Azim was meant to return to the ring to take on Eliot Chavez, but his fight has been CALLED OFF after an illegal weight cut by the Mexican.
