Simpson survives two knockdowns to stop Zucco

In Barnsley, the super-middleweight champion Callum Simpson picked himself up off the canvas twice to defeat Ivan Zucco in a stunning stoppage victory.

Simpson, 28, won the first European championship at Barnsley FC’s Oakwell Stadium by stopping Italy’s Zucco in the 10th round. He made history by maintaining his unbeaten record (18-0).

The Englishman hailed his sister, Lily-Rae Simpson, who passed away last year in a car accident in Greece at the age of 19, as the winner.

In those final few rounds, let’s be honest, I began thinking about my little sister Lily, Simpson said.

I just wanted to push for her and everyone else, to be honest. Lily was seated up here this year to cheer me on, and she was there tonight to support me when times were difficult.

I pondered this throughout round eight, “I have to dig deep, I have to keep pushing, I have to do it for her.” Tonight, she was with me.

With the victory, Simpson is in good position to advance to the next level by the end of the year.

With only eight seconds left in the opening round, Zucco downed Simpson with a hard left hand, making the raucous Oakwell crowd apprehensive.

Simpson was not let down by the 23 000 people who watched him play football on the field, and he kept on moving forward while taking numerous chances.

Simpson launched a stunning left uppercut on Zucco’s chin before falling to his knees before winning the 10-count match with a sense of opening in the opening.