22:16
Four quick fights in Sheffield
An oddly exciting night, all in all. We had a first-round KO and three endings in round two. Done and dusted nice and early. The main event was bubbling up nicely. I thought the stoppage was premature; others may disagree. See you all next time.
21:57
Simpson wins, calls for a return to Oakwell
Plenty of tears in the ring from the Simpson family and understandably so. It’s been a difficult time. Callum got the job done and proudly displays the British and Commonwealth super-middleweight titles around his waist. Johnny Nelson describes Bates’ call as a human decision.
“Boxxer offered me easier fights, I said no, I want to get back in there,” said Simpson. “Boxing gave me a serious focus and something to push on for.”
Simpson said that it was a legit stoppage, the referee did his job and Steed goes away healthy. Simpson reckons a summer outing in Oakwell (Barnsley’s football ground) could be next. Bigger nights for South Yorkshire are to come.
21:50
Simpson stoppage in round two – it looks early
Woodall is overwhelmed by punches in the second round and forced to take a count. There have been some early finishes this evening; surely this one won’t end the same way? Seemingly so. Moments later, as Woodall attempted to ride out the storm, referee Mark Bates inexplicably stopped it during round two.
Watching the replays, left hooks and uppercuts did the damage as Woodall fell to the ropes. An uppercut eventually sent him to the canvas. After that, Simpson piled on the pressure and Woodall, as bemused as the rest of us, was taken out of it.
21:40
Sizeable Simpson keeping Steed guessing
Simpson is a big old unit for super middle. Woodall is looking to take the centre ring and get the dangerous overhand right going. Simpson’s jab is working well as he raises the early pace, using those long levers with good punch variety. Should be a good one this.
21:34
Callum Simpson and Steed Woodall are all set for the main event
Both men get down to business in Sheffield as Barnsley’s Simpson and Birmingham’s Woodall enter the heat of battle in front of a raucous crowd. It’s an emotional evening for the Simpson family. Dave Coldwell implores Callum to keep his mind on the job. Good advice. Mark Bates is the referee. The three judges are Kieran McCann, Howard Foster and Michael Alexander.
21:04
Dubois is the best female fighter on the planet, says Shane McGuigan
Dubois calls for a Terri Harper fight on the March 7 card, headlined by Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price. Trainer Shane McGuigan says she has not reached her ceiling and there is plenty more to come for ‘Sweet Caroline’.
The facial damage and cuts made it a conclusive ending. McGuigan is looking for a world title unification and then undisputed before moving up to unify higher weight classes. He describes her as the “best female fighter on the planet by a mile”.
20:58
Dubois retains her belt by a technical draw
Jessica Camara is left in a mess and it is waved off after just two rounds. The official verdict is meaningless. Dubois was the boss woman, dishing out a beating. She retains her WBC lightweight title after four minutes of destruction.
20:52
Dubois doing damage with her southpaw scythes
Camara’s left eye is cut and her right eye is swelling up fast. It couldn’t get much worse for the visitor who just about manages to see out the second round. She will likely be stopped soon at this rate as the nose starts leaking blood. The cut was caused by a clash of heads which takes us into technical draw territory.
“I need you to give it everything you have this round,” Camara’s cornerman instructs.
20:50
Caroline Dubois’ early success
After a tentative opening minute of their WBC title clash, champion Caroline Dubois stepped in and landed a glancing one-two, dropping opponent Jessica Camara in round one. The Canadian looks unsteady and soaks up punishment, thankful for the two-minute rounds.
20:25
Winner Forrest calling out for the big fights
Scott Forrest says that everyone knew what was coming. Pullouts and cancellations have hampered his progress, but now training in Latvia, Forrest is back on UK shores enjoying his work. He’s quite the physical specimen.
“I’ve been chasing names for the last year. I’m ready for just about anyone,” he stated, asking for the winner of Riley and Chamberlain.
20:21
All over in round two as Miller knocked out
It’s all over in round two as Miller over extends once again and is caught by a left hook-right hand combination. Miller tried to rise, but his legs weren’t receiving adequate communication from the operating system. He struggled and wriggled as Darren Sarginson waved it off at 1-49 of the second round.
20:16
Miller takes a count in round one
Deevorn Miller had a little success at the end of the first round, got giddy on that success, leaned in for more and was caught by a counter right hand that left him on his knees. Referee Mr Sarginson got out of the way and took up the count as Miller smiled ruefully at his mistake.
Miller did look a little shaken as he stood up. A solid 10-8 round for Forrest, who took a couple but got the better of the session on the points calculations.
20:11
Scott Forrest and Deevorn Miller up next
A couple of big cruiserweights looking to rumble now. Lewisham’s twice-beaten Miller is going up against Edinburgh’s Forrest, who has yet to taste defeat. Eight rounds. Darren Sarginson is the third man in the ring.
20:01
Is Hickey the new Joe Calzaghe?
Fresh from his one-round battering of Lewis Howells, Dundee’s Sam Hickey spoke to Sky Sports.
“It was good, easier than what I thought it would be,” admitted the winner. “They [travelling support] made some noise didn’t they? I just want to do the same as Callum Simpson’s doing, bringing good fights back up to Scotland.”
Johnny Nelson has compared Hickey to a young Joe Calzaghe. No pressure. Let’s hope Boxxer have something up their sleeve to keep things rolling.
19:56
Opening howler for Howells
Howells down already in the first round. A heavy combination to the head, followed by some whipping shots to the body caused early mayhem for the Welshman, who did well to beat referee Michael Alexander’s count.
Howells managed to last 30 or so seconds more before he was dropped again and wiped out at 2-59 of round one. Mr Alexander and the corner (towel) combined to end the massacre. The left hooks to the body worked lovely, along with the uppercuts.
19:50
Sam Hickey and Lewis Howells in the ring
Good evening and welcome to the live blog for this evening’s action in Sheffield. We have Callum Simpson vs. Steed Woodall coming up later. Commonwealth Games gold medallist Sam Hickey is in the ring now. A good crowd have followed him from Dundee to take on Lewis Howells over six rounds.
Callum Simpson vs. Steed Woodall: Live Updates & Results
Callum Simpson of Barnsley defends his British and Commonwealth super-middleweight titles against Birmingham challenger Steed Woodall at the Park Community Arena, Sheffield, later this evening.
Where can you watch Callum Simpson vs. Steed Woodall?
Callum Simpson vs Steed Woodall will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK and Peacock in the US. The preliminary bouts can be viewed here:
What fights are on the Callum Simpson vs. Steed Woodall undercard?
12 x 3 mins – British, Commonwealth & WBA Continental Super Middleweight Championships
CALLUM SIMPSON – 11st 13lb / 75.7kg
STEED WOODALL – 12st / 76.2kg
10 x 2 mins – WBC World Lightweight Championship
CAROLINE DUBOIS – 9st 8lb 5oz / 60.9kg
JESSICA CAMARA – 9st 8lb / 60.8kg
8 x 3 mins – Cruiserweight Contest
SCOTT FORREST – 14st 4lb / 92.5kg
DEEVORN MILLER – 14st 4lb / 92.5kg
6 x 3 mins – Middleweight Contest
SAM HICKEY – 11st 9lb / 73.9kg
LEWIS HOWELLS – 11st 9lb / 73.9kg
8 x 3 mins – Light Heavyweight Contest
BILLY DENIZ – 12st 6lb / 78.9kg
MICKEY ELLISON – 12st 6lb / 78.9kg
6 x 3 mins – Middleweight Contest
MARIO SILVA – 11st 8lb 5oz / 73.6kg
EMMANUEL ZION – 11st 9oz / 73.9kg
4 x 3 mins – Lightweight Contest
ELLIS PRICE – 9st 10lb 5oz / 61.8kg
LIAM FITZMAURICE – 9st 10lb / 61.7kg
