Key Points
- Troy Williamson meets Callum Simpson for a super middleweight rematch this Saturday night, live on DAZN.
- Williamson was victorious in their first meeting last December via a tenth-round stoppage, with Simpson taking four knockdowns in that fight alone.
- The rematch was set up as Simpson invoked a rematch clause, but this did not happen until eight months later.
- Williamson blamed this delay on promoter Ben Shalom from Boxxer, going on a rant and declaring that he would never work with Shalom again.
- As Williamson said: “Ben Shalom talks so much s—t,” as Shalom had to give him more money after not making the date in July.
- The super middleweight has been enjoying a career revival following his loss to Jahi Tucker back in April last year, winning fights against Mark Dickinson and Simpson.
- Williamson says that this delay has cost him his world title shot and caused him to lose his European super middleweight title he got over Simpson.
Moses Itauma vs Filip Hrgovic fight for IBF Heavyweight Title is also part of the DAZN fight card for the August 29 event, through PPV and Ultimate tiers. - Other scheduled PPV events on DAZN are Romero vs Lopez for August 22 and Canelo vs Mbilli for October 31.
London (Britain Today News) August 07, 2026 – Troy Williamson has launched a scathing verbal attack on Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom ahead of his super middleweight rematch with Callum Simpson, blaming the promotional chaos for an eight-month delay and claiming it has derailed his world title ambitions. The Yorkshireman, who stopped Simpson in the tenth round last December after flooring him four times in that session, will finally return to the ring on Saturday night in a bout live on DAZN. Speaking to DAZN News’ Eze Obasi, Williamson unleashed a tirade against Shalom, vowing never to work with him again and accusing him of talking “so much s—t” while insisting the fight only happened because Boxxer failed to make a July date and had to pay him more money.
- Key Points
- Why did Troy Williamson rant at Ben Shalom?
- What happened in the first Williamson vs Simpson fight?
- How has the rematch delay affected Williamson’s career?
- What does Williamson say about working with Shalom again?
- Who is Callum Simpson in this rivalry?
- What is at stake in the Williamson vs Simpson rematch?
- What else is on the DAZN boxing schedule?
- How can fans watch the DAZN PPV events?
- What did DAZN say about the upcoming heavyweight title fight?
- Why is the Itauma vs Hrgovic fight historically significant?
- What are the broader implications for British boxing?
Why did Troy Williamson rant at Ben Shalom?
Williamson’s outburst centres on his belief that Shalom and Boxxer are responsible for the protracted negotiations that pushed the rematch from an intended July slot to August. As reported by Eze Obasi of DAZN News, Williamson stated:
“Ben Shalom talks so much s—t. We’re only here today because they couldn’t make the July date, so they had to pay me more money, otherwise there was no fight.”
He added:
“That’s a him problem, I’ve not spoke to him, I don’t want to speak to him, I won’t speak to him,”
and noted that he thought Shalom was waiting to shake his hand but he deliberately avoided eye contact.
What happened in the first Williamson vs Simpson fight?
The original encounter in December ended with Williamson emphatically on top, securing a stoppage victory in the tenth round after knocking Simpson down four times in that final session. The dominant display earned Williamson the European super middleweight title and cemented his status as a serious contender at 168lbs. Simpson subsequently activated a rematch clause, triggering the contractual obligation for an immediate return bout, but logistical and promotional issues stretched the timeline to eight months.
How has the rematch delay affected Williamson’s career?
Williamson argues that the delay has not only frustrated his momentum but actively harmed his world title trajectory. Since suffering a loss to Jahi Tucker in April last year, he has rebuilt his reputation with a stoppage win over Mark Dickinson last September followed by the December triumph over Simpson. However, the prolonged wait for the rematch has, in his view, stalled his charge towards a world title shot and even contributed to him losing the European super middleweight belt he won in the first Simpson fight.
What does Williamson say about working with Shalom again?
Williamson made it unequivocally clear that he does not intend to collaborate with Shalom in future. His comments to DAZN News were blunt and personal, framing Shalom as a figure he actively dislikes and wishes to avoid.
“I think he was up there waiting to shake my hand, but I didn’t clock eyes with him,”
Williamson said, underscoring the personal animosity that has developed during the rematch negotiations.
Who is Callum Simpson in this rivalry?
Callum Simpson is Williamson’s direct rival in the super middleweight division and the man he defeated decisively in December. Simpson’s activation of the rematch clause ensured the fight would happen, but the extended timeline has allowed tensions to simmer, with Williamson now directing much of his frustration towards Shalom rather than Simpson himself. If there is one man Williamson will hate more than Simpson, it is Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom, according to the narrative surrounding the build-up.
What is at stake in the Williamson vs Simpson rematch?
The rematch carries significant implications for both fighters’ standing in the super middleweight division. For Williamson, a second victory would reinforce his credentials as a world title contender and help erase the disruption caused by the eight-month delay. For Simpson, a win would avenge the earlier defeat and reset the trajectory of his career at 168lbs. The bout is part of a DAZN card that also features high-profile heavyweight action later in the month.
What else is on the DAZN boxing schedule?
Beyond the Williamson–Simpson rematch, DAZN’s upcoming schedule includes a major heavyweight title clash between Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic on Saturday, August 29, at the O2 Arena in London. As reported by multiple outlets, the fight will be contested for the vacant IBF world heavyweight title and will be available exclusively on DAZN PPV and the Ultimate Tier subscription. A win for 21-year-old Itauma would make him the second-youngest world heavyweight champion in history, behind only Mike Tyson.
How can fans watch the DAZN PPV events?
Fans can access the DAZN PPV events either as a one-off purchase or through a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription, which includes the PPV fights at no additional cost. The Romero vs Lopez welterweight title fight is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, live on DAZN PPV and Prime Video, while the Canelo vs Mbilli PPV is set for October 31. The Itauma vs Hrgovic heavyweight title bout on August 29 headlines a stacked card with multiple title bouts and emerging talents, broadcast globally in over 200 countries on DAZN PPV.
What did DAZN say about the upcoming heavyweight title fight?
DAZN vice president Alfie Sharman said in a release:
“Fans can expect a huge night of heavyweight action on August 29th as one of the most feared men in boxing, Moses Itauma takes on elite heavyweight Filip Hrgovic in a pivotal clash with world title implications.”
The fight will air live worldwide only on DAZN PPV, with broadcast timings to be confirmed closer to the event.
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Why is the Itauma vs Hrgovic fight historically significant?
The Itauma vs Hrgovic contest is historically significant because a victory for Itauma would make him the second-youngest world heavyweight champion ever, behind Mike Tyson. At 21 years old and only 14 fights into his professional career, Itauma is bidding to surpass Floyd Patterson’s record and join an elite group of teenage world champions. Hrgovic, a seasoned Croatian operator with a 20-1 record, presents the sternest test of Itauma’s career to date.
What are the broader implications for British boxing?
The concentration of high-profile British fighters on DAZN’s upcoming cards underscores the platform’s growing influence in UK boxing. From Williamson’s super middleweight rematch to Itauma’s potential world title coronation, these events highlight the depth of talent emerging from Britain and the strategic partnerships between promoters and broadcasters.
