Simpson returns to Beterbiev’s camp for preparation against Smith

Featured image: Lawrence Lustig/BOXXER.

Barnsley super-middleweight Callum Simpson has returned to Artur Beterbiev‘s camp in Canada to aid his preparation for next month’s clash against Callum Smith.

Beterbiev looks to defend his WBC, WBO and IBF light-heavyweight titles against the Liverpudlian on August 19th in Quebec City.

The 26 year old confirmed the invitation on his social media earlier today, writing: “Canada bound to join the @ABeterbiev training camp for his upcoming world title fight. Great to be invited over for a second time.”

The @CallumSimpson9 and @ABeterbiev sparring tradition continues 🤝

Barnsley’s finest is flying out to Canada, today, to help the WBC, IBF and WBO world champion prepare for Callum Smith 🔥#BOXXER | @SkySportsBoxing pic.twitter.com/VJa8i0mNXc
— BOXXER (@boxxer) July 17, 2023

Simpson previously served as Beterbiev’s sparring partner in the buildup to the Canadian’s victory over Britain’s Anthony Yarde in January and has spoken of the benefits being around the sport’s elite fighters brings for prospects starting out on their own journey.

“I was there for about six in weeks total”, Simpson told Sky Sports earlier this year.

“I definitely learned a lot about how a world champion trains and how they setup so it was a good experience.

“I’ve sparred a lot of top English guys at super-middle and light-heavyweight so I’ve always known I’m a high level in terms of that, but he’s the elite level. It told me a lot about where I was.”

Widely regarded as one of the sport’s top pound-for-pound fighters, Beterbiev has amassed 19 knockouts in as many professional outings to add to a successful stint in the amateur ranks.

Smith has won both of his fights via knockout at light-heavyweight since moving up from 168lbs in September 2021. *Photo by Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing.*

Victories over Oleksandr Gvozdyk, Joe Smith Jr, Marcus Browne and recently Yarde have cemented his claim for being boxing’s hardest-hitting commodity, and looks to continue his momentum against former super-middleweight champion Smith.

The latter has carried his own power up since moving to 175lbs in September 2021, stopping both Gilbert Castillo and Mathieu Bauderlique to cement his place as WBC mandatory challenger.

Top Rank secured promotional rights for the fight with a winning purse bid of $2,115,000 – ousting Smith’s promoter Matchroom Boxing by just $15,000.

The fight will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK and ESPN in the United States.