There’s boxing action to enjoy in Leeds and Dublin on Saturday night and our expert Chris Oliver previews both fights.
There is a double-header for boxing fans to enjoy on Saturday night with both shows signalling a new beginning in different ways.
Boxxer begin their new deal with DAZN as the promotional outfit stage a fascinating rematch between Troy Williamson and Callum Simpson at the Leeds Arena.
The latter was a huge favourite to successfully defend his British, Commonwealth and European super middleweight titles when they clashed at this same venue in December, but Williamson had other ideas. In a cracking contest, the pair were evenly matched for the first nine rounds before Williamson unleashed a big assault to end the fight in the 10th session.
They run it back this weekend with Simpson the favourite again at 8/11, although late support for Williamson has made him a best price of 7/5 and their respective odds are much closer together this time.
Due to being contractually bound to this rematch, Williamson has had to miss out on the lucrative opportunities he should have been rewarded with after a such a huge win. Big paydays and a world title shot were offered to him, and he had to turn them down, so he will be super motivated to win here and make sure he gets those offers again.
Let’s not forget just how much hype was behind Simpson prior to their December bout, and it was him who was being talked about as fighting for world honours next. The Barnsley native was 18-0 with 13 knockouts going into the first fight and his huge 6’3” frame made him a very dangerous man at 168lbs.
However, he has been making that weight his whole professional career and the warning signs were there that he could be struggling to do so now. He was dropped twice before coming through to stop Ivan Zucco last summer, and he hit the deck four times in the last session with Williamson before the referee waved it off.
It was alarming how quickly he unravelled that night and maybe he should have moved up to light heavyweight a while back, never mind choosing to cook himself down again in an attempt to avenge his only loss.
Conversely, Williamson has looked a new fighter since stepping up to this weight and his body has relished the freedom after years of struggling to make light middleweight and middleweight.
Unbeaten through his opening 20 fights, the Darlington man then went 1-4 in his next five outings, although those defeats came against good opposition and he went the distance on each occasion.
Then he moved up to spring a bit of a surprise when stopping Mark Dickinson, before causing a serious shock against Simpson. Williamson looks quick, strong and energetic at this new weight – attributes that could all be problems for the favourite to deal with again.
The underdog used his fast feet to close the gaps swiftly and spring forward to land heavy one-twos with regularity first time around, with the speed really causing issues for his opponent.
Williamson showed his tremendous chin was even stronger at super middleweight as he took some heavy shots really well and he was very effective fighting from his crouched stance, making it hard for the much taller Simpson to punch down to find the target.
The height and length reach? have been a huge asset for Simpson at this weight so far and he could be very effective here if he can get going with his jab, something he neglected in the first fight.
However, whether he can keep that up for long if he’s weight-drained is another question and this could well be fought at close quarters again, which favours Williamson.
The demons of the last fight – especially that torrid 10th round – will still be with Simpson and a change in trainer to top coach Rob McCracken won’t alter that.
Simpson may well have learnt from last time and make more use of his excellent jab, which would bring him winning a decision into play at 5/4. Williamson has been outboxed before, and he is giving away plenty of height and reach here.
However, I’m not sure Simpson can maintain that for long periods and, having been dropped six times in his last two fights, I don’t think he should still be at this weight.
The determined Williamson won’t be going anywhere and when he ramps up the pressure again after a few rounds, Simpson could wilt again and give us a repeat of the first contest. Williamson to win by stoppage again looks cracking value at 5/2 and I am going for repeat, rather than revenge, in this main event.
McKenna to light up Dublin
There is also big-fight action on Sky Sports as Aaron McKenna gets his maiden world title shot against Etinosa Oliha in Dublin.
McKenna (20-0, 10 KOs) is making his debut for Zuffa Boxing and, interestingly, this is for the IBF middleweight belt, despite Dana White’s new promotional outfit claiming they would not recognise any of the traditional world titles.
It’s good news for McKenna, who gets a title shot and a lucrative pay day rolled into one, and his crack at world honours has been a long time coming. It is almost 16 months since his breakthrough victory over former world champion Liam Smith in London and he has been waiting for this opportunity since.
There is more good news for McKenna, who gets his big chance in his home country and against someone he is a strong favourite to beat.
The Irishman is a best price of 2/5, while you can get 10/3 for Oliha, who brings a perfect 22-fight record to the table, but he hasn’t fought anyone near the quality of McKenna before.
The underdog, who hails from Italy, has boxed solely in his home country and Germany so far, and against largely mediocre opposition, so he is very much an unknown quantity as he makes the trip to Ireland.
Given the company he has mixed in, he can consider himself lucky to get a world title shot but he has beaten everyone he has faced and that’s all he can do.
It’s great to see McKenna back in the ring as he made a real statement against Smith with a dominant decision victory last time out and the 26-year-old looks an exciting prospect.
Smith may have been 36 at the time but he was fully fit and still harboured ambitions of becoming a two-weight world champion. McKenna was very impressive that night and won pretty much every round, including scoring a knockdown in the final session.
The switch-hitter from Monaghan outboxed and outworked the veteran, with his sharp jab and high output helping him make Smith look every bit of his age. McKenna displayed fast hands and fancy footwork as he boxed his way into an early lead, before beating Smith at his own game when he began to hold his feet a bit more in the second half of the contest.
Oliha has looked pretty durable so far and with McKenna not noted for his power, the latter is only 20/21 to claim the world title via a decision. That method is a worthy favourite but there are reasons to suggest it is worth taking a chance on him winning by stoppage at 11/4.
I am a big fan of McKenna and think he should prove far too good for Oliha, who has never faced anyone of this standard. The latter is also fighting in unknown territory and he will have to contend with the loud Dublin crowd, who will be very much in favour of McKenna.
Oliha also loads up quite a lot on his shots and that will leave big openings for McKenna to exploit with his fast hands. The gulf in class could eventually become too much that the busy McKenna will be having his own way and he can overwhelm his man for a triumphant stoppage in the final third.
Posted at 12:00 BST on 07/08/26
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