British star happy to take domestic rematch as world title opportunity awaits

Troy Williamson would be happy to take a rematch against Callum Simpson this summer, but insists he won't let bigger opportunities pass him by.

The Darlington fighter stunned the Barnsley man to take his British, Commonwealth and European super-middleweight titles in Leeds last month.

A rematch clause means that Simpson could seek an immediate revenge bout, having turned hometown stadium Oakwell into his personal fortress.

Williamson admits he would be more than open to a clash, but finds himself also in the frame for a shot at the IBF title vacated by Terence Crawford.

Osleys Iglesias is currently seeking an opponent, and with Saul 'Canlo' Alvarez, Jamie Munguia and Hamzah Sheeraz passing, the Briton is in the mix.

"I’m next in line," he told The Ring. "I can’t see why the phone won’t ring. I know there’s a rematch clause with Simpson. I don’t know how that'll play out.

"But hopefully within the next couple of days we have some sort of news. I can’t sit out for six or seven months. I’ve got a family I need to take care of.

"If the rematch does get activated, I’d like that in March. If he wants it in June, then I’m happy to go the IBF route, win that and come and have my first defence against Callum.”

Williamson poised to reap merry-go-round rewards

DAZN News correspondent Andrew Steel

The shockwaves left by Terence Crawford's decision to hang up his gloves will likely continue to rattle through the super-middleweight division for months.

But in dethroning Callum Simpson just before Christmas in Leeds, Troy Williamson has given himself a serious shot in the arm for world title consideration.

He has been helped by the merry-go-round of fighters who seem to have other plans across a now-fractured division, of course, but he has earned his spot.

If Williamson can reap the rewards, be handed the shot with Osleys Iglesias and then bring it back for a northern powerhouse rematch, fight fans would be well fed.

There are plenty of stumbling blocks both in and out of the ring to overcome - but watch this space and see if he can nail that opportunity to take the title chance.

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