Boxing
How a meeting in Starbucks transformed Simpson under renowned trainer McCracken
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“Still a bit sore, still only slept a couple of hours, but what a night.”
Those were the opening words of British and Commonwealth super middleweight champion Callum Simpson, a few days removed from Saturday night’s win over Troy Williamson.
The pair clashed in a rematch eight months in the making after Williamson stopped Simpson last December.
As Simpson prepared for this second meeting with Williamson, he decided to change his trainer to Robert McCracken, a familiar name who has trained some of the best British fighters of the modern generation, including Anthony Joshua and Carl Froch.
It all started with a meeting in Starbucks
Seeing similarities in himself and Froch, Simpson explained why this was a key influence in him meeting up with McCracken for a coffee at Starbucks at the start of the year to see whether they were the right fit.
“Carl Froch is a fighter that's never been the most polished, but he's very effective. I think I've always been similar to that in a few ways," Simpson told DAZN News.
“I met with Rob for a coffee actually in Starbucks before I went and trained with him. I sat with him for about an hour and a half, and what an amazing guy, an amazing man.
“That's when I knew that was the kind of person I wanted to train with.”
Simpson is someone who has captured the imagination of his home city, Barnsley. Whenever he fights, an army of passionate fans follow to provide an electric atmosphere.
Simpson overcomes Williamson in thrilling rematch
Watch the highlights
But while this can serve as an advantage in the toughest moments, it can also be a hindrance as a fighter uses emotion instead of boxing ability to get the win.
Simpson acknowledged that he may have been letting the energy from his fanbase influence his in-ring performances, and is confident that with McCracken’s help, he will become a smarter fighter.
“I think it's something we're definitely aiming for,” Simpson said when asked about the transition from an emotional fighter to a smarter one.
“I think it's just being being smarter when I'm when I'm coming in. I don't let the crowd get to me, but maybe I do.
“With Rob, it's a case of being smarter, making the attacks, being a lot more defensive, but there's loads of stuff that we've worked on in the gym that wasn't the right thing against Troy as well.”
Saturday’s win over Williamson may have only been the first fight of this Simpson-McCracken partnership, but there are already signs of positive change in the 29-year-old.
How Simpson has changed under McCracken
There were moments where Simpson had Williamson on unsteady legs, and with the Barnsley faithful roaring Simpson on, he could easily have gone hell for leather and attempt to bring the contest to an early finish.
Instead, Simpson opted to conserve his energy, aware of the threat Williamson posed and his ability to turn a fight on its head, it was vital he had enough to go 12 rounds in a fight which he was controlling.
“I think Callum this time last year would have tried go for the stoppage in the third round and maybe the seventh as well. And again, maybe I would have stopped him, or maybe I would have blown myself out and he would have come back stronger.
“At the time, I caught him with some good shots, and I thought he was going to go, then he was holding, then he almost went again.
“I thought, you know what? He's never been stopped before, he's fit, very durable, just back off and reset, and if it comes, it comes. Don't try and force it.
“That's just something I feel a lot more disciplined about now.
“Again, training under Rob. That's one thing he said, don't try and force. If it comes, it comes. Whereas a previous Callum would have tried to force it a lot more and maybe blow myself out.”
As Simpson prepares for a contest towards the end of the year, he is wasting no time in getting back in the gym with McCracken.
The British and Commonwealth super middleweight champion is taking a two-week break before returning to the renowned coach, and with the foundations of a much-improved fighter on show, it will be intriguing to see what lies ahead for Simpson.
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