Callum Simpson knocks out Elvis Ahorgah in the 5th round in London. Callum Simpson successfully defended his Commonwealth super-middleweight title with a commanding performance, decisively stopping Elvis Ahorgah in five rounds. The highly anticipated bout, held at London’s Wembley Arena, had the potential to develop into a challenging contest but concluded dramatically one minute and 53 seconds into the fifth round. A precise right-left combination of Simpson sent the 24-year-old Ahorgah to the canvas for the first time, and despite his efforts to recover, the referee intervened to halt the fight.
Simpson had recently made the first defense of his British and Commonwealth titles on January 11, when he secured a swift victory over Steed Woodall in just two rounds. Following the unexpected cancellation of the Viddal Riley-Isaac Chamberlain fight due to an injury sustained by Chamberlain, promoters Boxxer sought a suitable replacement bout to serve as the co-main event to Adam Azim-Sergey Lipinets. Given Simpson’s dominant performance against Woodall, he was identified as an ideal candidate to face the Ghanaian challenger.
From the outset, Simpson set an assertive pace, capitalizing on his superior speed. Ahorgah’s unorthodox and aggressive swings reflected both his determination and technical limitations. However, despite frequently missing his target, Ahorgah managed to land a left hand in the opening round that visibly reddened Simpson’s face.
The second round saw Ahorgah momentarily trouble Simpson with a well-timed straight left, but Simpson responded effectively with a powerful right hook followed by a series of well-placed punches to both the head and body. Demonstrating impressive defensive skills, Simpson ducked another wild left hand from Ahorgah, who overreached with a right hand and subsequently absorbed a counter-right from close range that pushed him back against the ropes.
Ahorgah continued to press forward in the third round, landing another right hand on the inside. However, Simpson maintained control by consistently outworking his opponent, using his jab to dictate the pace of the fight. Despite his dominance, the physical toll of the contest became evident as swelling emerged around his right eye.
In the decisive fifth round, Simpson capitalized on a visibly weakened Ahorgah, delivering a powerful right hand that significantly hurt his opponent. Sensing an opportunity to end the fight, Simpson unleashed a right-left combination that sent Ahorgah to the canvas. Although Ahorgah exhibited resilience by rising just as the referee counted to ten, official Howard Foster deemed him unable to continue, thereby awarding Simpson a well-earned victory.
Earlier in the evening, Moldova’s Aurel Ignat delivered an equally emphatic performance, requiring only one minute and 53 seconds to stop Scott Forrest and hand him the first defeat of his professional career. Boxxer’s Ben Shalom had recently expressed confidence in Forrest’s potential, but Ignat’s precise execution proved too much. After absorbing a right hand, Forrest was visibly shaken by a powerful left hook that buckled his knees, forcing him onto the ropes and into the corner. Ignat seized the moment, delivering a flurry of left and right hands that prompted the referee’s swift intervention.
With this commanding victory, Simpson further solidified his reputation as a rising star in the super-middleweight division, while the event itself highlighted the unpredictable nature of boxing, reinforcing the significance of skill, preparation, and resilience in the sport.