Zak Chelli vs. Callum Simpson Preview

Zak Chelli vs. Callum Simpson Preview

By Matt Elliott

Boxxer hosting events at football stadiums is starting to become a regular occurrence. In June, Crystal Palace’s Selhurst Park played host to the cruiserweight clash between Chris Billam-Smith and Richard Riakporhe, with the former having previously fought Lawrence Okolie at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth. Tonight, it’s the turn of Barnsley as Oakwell Park is the venue for the British and Commonwealth super-middleweight title clash between current champion Zak Chelli and hometown challenger Callum Simpson.

Chelli, who has had an affiliation with Boxxer since winning a four-man super-middleweight tournament back in 2020, makes the first defence of the belts he won in January after beating Jack Cullen by a unanimous points decision. It marked a return to the top of the domestic division for Chelli, who had suffered a surprise loss just two fights prior, as he fell to defeat against Mark Jeffers.

Despite coming into this one as the champion, the odds are somewhat stacked against Chelli. Simpson, born and bred in Barnsley, gets the opportunity to fight in front of a home crowd and fulfil a lifelong dream by challenging for a title at Oakwell. This fight has been talked about for some time but became a reality after Simpson stopped Dulla Mbabe inside four rounds back in March. That was his fourteenth professional win, with ten of those coming inside the distance. It’s that power that sees Simpson as the overwhelming favourite with the bookmakers who have him an odds-on favourite to walk out with the belts.

British title fights rarely fail to deliver, and this one has all the ingredients to be another classic. The belt is steeped in history and is often cited as the one title that boxers have dreamt about winning since they were young children. The desire to get their hands on the distinctive Lonsdale strap is undoubtedly a key factor in why so many fights live long in the memory and here’s hoping Chelli and Simpson provide a performance that is befitting of the occasion.  

There are seven scheduled undercard fights, the pick of which is the clash between Caroline Dubois and Maira Moneo. Dubois defends her IBO lightweight title for the second time and competes for the WBC interim world title currently held by Moneo. Victory would move Dubois into the number one contender spot for the full title, which is still currently in the possession of Katie Taylor.

In the third title clash of the evening, Stephen McKenna and Joe Laws meet for the vacant International Silver super welterweight strap. McKenna is a strong favourite and comes into this one looking to maintain his unbeaten record and secure his first professional belt. He carries a huge size advantage over his opponent, but Laws is not to be underestimated, something he proved last time out when he surprised many by defeating Michael Hennessey Jr.

The action will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Action from 7:30pm and Sky Sports Main Event from 9pm.

Full fight schedule

Zak Chelli (15-2-1) vs. Callum Simpson (14-0) – British and Commonwealth super-middleweight titles (12 rounds)

Caroline Dubois (9-0) vs. Maira Moneo (14-1) – IBO and WBC interim lightweight titles (10 rounds)

Stephen McKenna (14-0) vs. Joe Laws (14-2) – WBC International Silver super welterweight title (vacant) (10 rounds)

Connor Coyle (20-0) vs. Kyle Lomotey (12-1) – middleweight (8 rounds)

Mauro Silva (5-0) vs. Dale Arrowsmith (6-110-5) – middleweight (6 rounds)

Joel Kodua (6-0) vs. John Henry Mosquera (5-15) – super welterweight (6 rounds)

Billy Deniz (11-0) vs. Khalid Graidia (11-14-5) – light heavyweight (6 rounds)

Sylwia Doligala (3-1-2) vs. Sara Orszagi (1-1) – super flyweight (4 rounds)