Chelli vs Simpson Predictions: British title action headlines at Oakwell

British and Commonwealth super middleweight champion Zak Chelli defends his titles against unbeaten Callum Simpson this Saturday, August 3. This intriguing championship fight takes place at Oakwell, home of Barnsley FC. Sky Sports Action will screen the card live. 

Here are my Chelli vs Simpson predictions ahead of an exciting title match-up.

Chelli finally righted a wrong he had carried on his shoulders for a long time in his last bout. At the height of COVID, Chelli drew with Jack Cullen at a crowd-less Matchroom HQ. Fans, pundits and Chelli himself all felt he had done enough to win. In January, with Cullen’s British and Commonwealth straps on the line, Chelli took a deserved unanimous decision from his rival.

You might have thought that life would get easier as champion. Perhaps Chelli would finally be able to call his own shots, having waited four years for a return with Cullen. Not so, as the 26-year-old travels to his opponent’s backyard for his maiden title defence.

Simpson is an avid Barnsley FC supporter for whom fighting at Oakwell has been a long-held dream. Despite wielding the belts, Chelli is once again being asked to play the antagonist in someone else’s story. 

Simpson’s story is one worth following. The 14-0 Yorkshireman has impressed so far, racking up 10 knockouts along the way. A fourth-round knockout of Dulla Mbabe at the O2 Arena last time out caused many to sit up and take notice of the 27-year-old. Now he gets his chance to capture a brace of title belts and strengthen his claim.

Both men find themselves in the world rankings coming into this fascinating fight. The IBF have Chelli as their number-14 while Simpson is ranked 15th by the WBA. There is a real chance for the winner to make serious headway on the world stage.

Simpson probably carries the greater power of the pair, while Chelli comes in having competed at a higher level. While only three fights separate them in terms of experience, Chelli has fought the better opponents.

The crowd will play a part too, with Oakwell likely to be hostile towards the champion and ebullient for the challenger. This looks well-set to be a cracking domestic occasion, showing the quality we have on these shores beyond the usual big names.

Chelli vs Simpson Fight Odds

The champion comes in as an underdog here with Chelli at 5/2. Simpson is a 1/3 favourite while the draw is 16/1.

Chelli vs Simpson Full Card

Zak Chelli vs. Callum Simpson; For Chelli's British and Commonwealth super middleweight titles Caroline Dubois vs. Maira Moneo; Women's lightweight 

Stephen McKenna vs. Joe Laws; Light middleweight 

Connor Coyle vs. Kyle Lomotey; Middleweight 

Mauro Silva vs. Dale Arrowsmith; Middleweight 

Joel Kodua vs. John Henry Mosquera; Welterweight 

Billy Deniz vs. Khalid Graidia; Light heavyweight

Chelli vs Simpson Prediction

I like Simpson here. With the backing of the Barnsley crowd behind him, the sharp skills he has displayed through 14 fights will come to the fore. Chelli is a very good fighter and he will persist, probably giving the judges a job to do by fight’s end.

But ultimately I think the decision rendered will favour Simpson. You can get 11/8 for a Simpson points win, which is my tip for this super middleweight scrap.

You can find all our latest boxing betting tips and analysis at our Betfred Insights Boxing page and our latest boxing odds here.