CALLUM SIMPSON’S manager, Kevin Maree, has told Boxing News which fighter he believes deserves a shot at the European super-middleweight champion.
The European Boxing Union (EBU) had installed Kevin Lele Sadjo as the mandatory challenger, but it was announced last night that the Frenchman will instead travel to California later this year to face Diego Pacheco on December 13.
Sadjo originally won the European 168lbs title in December 2021 against Jack Cullen, stepping in at short notice to replace Gustave Tamba. Victory came in the sixth round when Sadjo dropped Cullen with a left hook to the body, which the Briton failed to recover from. However, his reign as champion proved underwhelming, with just two defences in over two years. Sadjo vacated the title in December 2024, and six months later Simpson claimed the vacant belt in a thriller against Ivan Zucco.
The EBU’s decision to reinstall Sadjo as mandatory challenger left Maree baffled.
“I was stunned that the EBU had made him mandatory for the title so soon after vacating,” he told Boxing News. “He never seemed to defend the title when he had it so I was perplexed when he was made mandatory.
“It’s a fight we were certainly going ahead with but now he’s pulled out we will look at another option.”
Simpson’s rise from the small-hall circuit to British, Commonwealth and European champion has put his hometown of Barnsley firmly on the boxing map. Victories over Zucco and, before that, Zak Chelli at Oakwell Football Ground have transformed the 28-year-old’s career. Simpson, 18-0 (13 KOs), is now ranked in the top 10 by three of the four major sanctioning bodies.
His promoter, Boxxer, will begin a new broadcasting deal on October 25 when Frazer Clarke and Jeamie TKV meet for the vacant British heavyweight title live on the BBC. Simpson’s next fight date remains uncertain, but Maree says one opponent is already under consideration.
“We feel Troy [Williamson] definitely deserves a shot. He’s a great fighter. Him and Callum would make for an excellent fight and you would have the English, British, Commonwealth and European titles on the line.”
Williamson, a former British super-welterweight champion, produced an impressive upset last month when he stopped Mark Dickinson to win the English strap. The two went toe-to-toe, but Williamson’s chin and power ultimately prevailed.
Speaking to BN in September, Williamson (21-4-1, 15 KOs) said he is targeting a shot at Simpson and would relish the opportunity.
“I think it’s another fan-friendly fight. A lot of people would tune in because they know it’s going to be entertaining. One that I would go in there extremely confident of [winning].”
