Troy Williamson's world title dreams in tatters - Boxing's big problem with rematch clauses

2025 ended up being a remarkable year for Troy Williamson despite starting it with defeat when he was outclassed by Jahi Tucker in Las Vegas. 

Williamson entered the year with his form on a downwards trajectory after three losses in his previous four fights. Tucker then piled on more misery by dropping the Darlington man twice before being miles ahead on the scorecards. 

With his time in boxing seemingly limping towards the exit door, Williamson appeared to be no threat to the fast-rising Mark Dickinson, but instead, he displayed the type of tenacity that saw him rule domestically at 154lbs only this time up at super-middleweight. 

Williamson fought like a man whose life depended on victory and with Dickinson unable to match the relentlessness he was opposed by, he succumbed in the ninth round as Williamson breathed life into his ailing career. 

Despite his win, Williamson’s small redemption had still not put off Callum Simpson’s team. They decided to pair their man against the 34-year-old believing that he could be the ideal opponent to highlight Simpson’s many qualities. With the BBC on hand to hopefully elevate one of Boxxer's standout fighters, Williamson once again made a mockey of the pre-fight expectations. 

The bout could not have gone any worse for Simpson. Williamson would not be denied as he overcame a deficit with the judges to break down his domestic rival, dropping Simpson four times before the fight was finally stopped in round ten.

From looking like he had nowhere to go at the beginning of the year, Williamson ended it with endless options heading into 2026. Or so he believed. 

Earlier this week, it was revealed by John Evans at The Ring that Williamson was in prosperous position with the IBF to challenge Osleys Iglesias for their vacant title after Terence Crawford retired last month.

The Ring

Williamson received some luck along the way with numerous fighters in front of him insisting on another route, but it looked like there was a clear path for him to change his and his family’s life by facing the well-fancied Cuban. 

Tom Ivers at BoxingScene would deliver bad news for Williamson shortly afterwards though when he reported that Ben Shalom is activating a rematch clause for Simpson with the sequel set to take place in May.

“We have [activated the rematch clause] and that will happen in May,” reported Ivers, “Callum gave Troy a voluntary shot; we gave him an opportunity of a lifetime. It’s a shame he had no representative there that night. I was glad for Troy Williamson, I genuinely was.” 

Rematch clauses for domestic fights is a big problem. This has now been placed under the microscope with Williamson having to walk away from the highest purse of his career for a world title to go back and compete for continental honours against a man he dropped repeatedly before having his hand raised. 

Rematches are a wonderful feature of boxing

Even at the highest level of boxing, is there a need for promoters and managers to insist on second meetings when the first fight can prove so conclusive?

Rematches, and trilogies for that matter, are a wonderful feature of boxing and they have often served as reminders that boxing has long been built on bitter rivalries where fighters meet twice due to how good the original was. 

Rematches are vital when a scoring controversy has marred a contest or when a referee like Howard Foster pulls Carl Froch off George Groves when the latter is fighting back under pressure.

There is a requirement for injustices like this to be resolved and rematches are necessary then, but do we need to see them when the first result is beyond any doubt? 

Promoters can use the line ‘we gave this fighter an opportunity,’ but that chance was provided on the full belief that your own fighter would be victorious.

Now if the fight is close or entertaining, the public will demand to see it again and it is highly assumed that whatever governing body sanctioned the first meeting would call a second one if it was deemed suitable for the situation. 

Winning a fight in style without any problems should hand all the power to the winner and leave him with the choice to push on with his career, especially when something as lucrative as a world title shot is awaiting him or her. 

“I’d understand if it was close. Man got beat up and then stopped in round 10,” wrote Williamson on X. Perhaps a hint of frustration and bitterness in his tone knowing that perhaps his one big moment on the grandest platform could be out of reach due to smart administration on his rival’s side. 

If the rematch takes place in May, an almost certainty if Shalom is to be believed, then someone high up in boxing in a position of responsibility needs to ensure that a situation like this is surely the last time it happens.  

Williamson has turned his career around as impressively as anyone I can recall in recent times. But instead of this remarkable run being soured by an elite operator like Iglesias, a fight he hopefully obtains at some point, it’s a ridiculous clause in a contract that has halted his upward momentum. 

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