On Saturday, December 20, at the First Direct Arena, Callum Simpson vs Troy Williamson headlines a BOXXER Promotions card, with the prelims starting at 18:00 GMT on BBC iPlayer, while the main card is scheduled to start at 19:30 GMT on BBC Three.
Callum Simpson vs Troy Williamson will be for Simpson’s European, British, and Commonwealth super middleweight titles. We’ll bring you all the results, including the untelevised fights, which started at 16:45 local time.
All results from December 20 — Callum Simpson vs Troy Williamson
Callum Simpson vs Troy Williamson
After an entertaining undercard, it was time for the main event, Callum Simpson vs Troy Williamson for Simpson’s European, British, and Commonwealth super middleweight titles.
Both fighters had their moments in the first round, but the more eye-catching work came from Simpson (18-1, 13 KOs). The undefeated Barnsley fighter looked good early on when he worked behind his jab, while the overhand right from Williamson (22-4-1, 16 KOs) gave him success in the opening two rounds.
During the third round, Simpson backed Williamson up, throwing some heavy shots, while Williamson landed some nice counters in the exchange. As the fight reached the halfway point, the cleaner work came from Simpson, but “Trojan” was making it tough for his opponent. His fighting style of launching forward made it difficult for Simpson to get off his own work.
The work rate of Williamson against the cleaner punches of Simpson continued that battle, with Williamson landing a left-right combination in the eighth round, which seemed to unsettle the reigning champion. Simpson began the tenth round by looking to back Williamson up, who landed a beautifully timed combination that had Simpson in all kinds of trouble, eventually hitting the canvas.
The Barnsley fighter showed bravery, but was soon under huge pressure with “Trojan” landing some more heavy punches, and after a second knockdown, there looked to be no way back, and Williamson scored a third and fourth knockdown, leading the referee to wave the fight off. What a performance from the 34-year-old Darlington fighter, who is now the European, British, and Commonwealth super middleweight champion, winning by tenth-round TKO.
Elliot Whale vs Ashlee Eales
Elliot Whale (13-0, 8 KOs) vs Ashlee Eales (11-2, 3 KOs) was the penultimate fight of the night in the welterweight division.
Eales settled the quicket, mixing his shots well from the southpaw stance. Despite the bright start from Eales, Whale quickly got into his stride and began to land heavy body shots, forcing Eales to take a knee. The body shots continued in the fourth, with Whale in control at the midway point.
A left hook to the body in round five floored Eales again. A right hand to the body soon scored another knockdown, and Eales did well to survive until the bell. His bright start was quickly extinguished by Whale’s dominance. During the sixth round, the corner of Eales decided to throw in the towel to save their fighter from any more punishment. A dominating performance from the Siscup fighter, who adapted well to the late replacement Eales, and deserved the sixth-round TKO victory.
Sam Hickey vs Aljaz Venko
In the first fight on the Callum Simpson vs Troy Williamson main card was Sam Hickey (4-0, 1 KO) vs Aljaz Venko (7-8-1, 3 KOs) in the middleweight division.
It was a great opening round from Hickey, who moved his feet well and varied his attacks impressively. Hickey landed a well-timed right hand, which also scored him a knockdown in the first round. A short right hand floored Venko in round number four.
Hickey’s height and reach helped him control the distance and tempo. Venko continued to show bravery until the final bell, but the accuracy and speed of Hickey ensured he got a deserved 60-54 victory.
Ellis Ward vs Jake Jon Cleary
In the welterweight division, it was Ellis Ward (5-1, 1 KO) vs Jake Jon Cleary (5-0, 0 KOs) up next.
It was a bright start for both, with plenty of punches thrown, but the jab from Cleary was the standout from the first round. Ward was busy with his work, but the cleaner punches came from Cleary.
Ward looked to be enjoying a good fifth round before Cleary began to get back on top again and work off his jab. Ultimately, a difficult fight to score, but the jab of Cleary helped him stay on top for most of the fight. Both fighters gathered to hear the referee’s scorecard, which read 58-57 in favour of Cleary.
Tom Rafferty vs Lewis Howells
It was the turn of the middleweights once again, with Tom Rafferty (16-0, 6 KOs) facing Lewis Howells (3-5, 0 KOs).
Rafferty started well, working the body of Howells, who struggled to land anything of note. A big counter right hand from Rafferty buckled the legs of Howells, who did well to survive the round.
Some smart hooks from Rafferty in the fourth round forced his opponent to take a knee, which prompted Howells’ corner to throw in the towel, giving Rafferty the fourth-round TKO win.
Cory Sagar vs Joe Hardy
In the first fight of the Callum Simpson vs Troy Williamson televised prelims, it was Cory Sagar (5-0, 0 KOs) vs Joe Hardy (5-42-1, 0 KOs) in the middleweight division.
It was a cagey opening, with Joe Hardy opening up towards the end of the first round, but the speed of Sagar helped him produce the cleaner work. Hardy had some success towards the end of the second round as he fired punches into the body of his opponent.
Despite Hardy having limited success with the overhand right, Sagar looked mostly comfortable, picking his shots impressively, and deserved his 39-37 victory.
