Callum Simpson

I remember seeing his name on social media a few years ago, and being a boxing nut I spoke to someone I know on the scene to see if he was genuinely from Barnsley and to get a feel for him. Was told only good things so as a club we reached out to him on social media. Never known anyone reply so quickly.

And from the first time we met him, he became part of the BFC family. We couldn’t get rid of him!

When he was signed by Boxxer the interest ramped up. And when he wasn’t in training he was at every game. Used to chat to him about how key it was to build his fanbase. He’s friends with Kell Brook, he knows Josh Warrington. We used to talk about him fighting at Oakwell and having the backing of a football club could really propel him. Sky aren’t daft either. They know that football fans will follow a hometown boxer.

As a human being, Callum is top drawer. Polite, humble and generous. With a cheeky smile and quality sense of humour. The fact he’s one of the best fighters in the country is quickly forgotten when you’re with him. He’s just Callum, Barnsley lad, Reds fan.

I left my role before the Oakwell fight. One of my last days at work was spent with him at the Radio Sheff studio doing a live football heaven special. I was proud that a couple of years of dreaming was about to come to fruition.

To see Oakwell on Sky, hosting a great boxing card headlined by one of our own was pinch yourself stuff. And believe me, the event sold so quickly that I’m more than confident you could open another stand or two so long as it’s announced a few months in advance. It was a test event really, the one last summer. No matter how convinced we at the club were, or Callum and his family/team were that we could sell it, the people at Sky weren’t sure initially.

The loss of his sister is devastating. But you only need to listen to how he talks about it to know it will only spur him on even more to succeed in the ring, for her, for his family name and for Barnsley.

I could genuinely spend all day bigging the bloke up. He’s just a special human being. Flicker would have loved him.

 

That's a great testimonial YT, echoes other things I've heard first hand. I would definitely go and support him at Oakwell again!

 

This is a great read. I have a lot for Don and one of the good guys on the boxing writing circuit. A mentor in many ways to me over the years.

 

He's 1/5 to win on Bet 365 and they get more right than wrong bookies.