Callum Simpson vs. Ivan Zucco: Preview & Betting Tips

Simpson is the clear favourite heading into this one as he looks to make another step up on the European stage, hoping to claim the vacant EBU European super-middleweight title on the football pitch of his beloved Barnsley FC.

However, Zucco, to many, is an unknown entity, despite having an excellent record and KO ratio. 

The Yorkshireman has the edge in terms of height and reach, and he will have the entirety of the Oakwell Stadium crowd cheering him on at every ounce of success. While this could aid him, it could also hurt him too.

If Simpson finds success early on and hears the roars of the crowd, he may end up overcommitting, which is something that you definitely want to avoid against a sharp and powerful southpaw like Zucco. Simpson has yet to face a slick southpaw like Zucco, who has been fine-tuning his counterpunching and head movement, so there are lots of questions to be answered on Saturday night in South Yorkshire.

It’s also been reported that the Italian has been training in high-altitude camps in Mexico, and enduring elite sparring with the likes of William Zepeda.

Simpson vs Zucco: Prediction & Betting Tips

I may have hinted at this in the previous section, but I really can’t see how or why the odds have such a huge gap between them. Both fighters are around about the same level. Styles make fights, and even wins fights.

Simpson will come in and look to pressure Zucco on his back foot and outbox him from mid-long range, but the undefeated Italian is very capable at fighting off his back foot, and he has an incredibly sharp back hand.

The Barnsley man is tough and durable and even has decent pop himself, but Zucco’s sharp and powerful counterpunches to go with his high-altitude conditioning is making me believe that an upset is in play. 

If Simpson’s defence is open and he overcommits and lunges in by trying to impress his home crowd, Zucco will be primed to capitalise and potentially end the fight in the blink of an eye.

I’m going to be putting a smaller stake on the crisp power puncher Ivan Zucco to win by KO/TKO or DQ at odds of 10.00 (Sky Bet).