‘They’ve overlooked Steed - and that is just how we want it’

Woodall and Counihan celebrate a pro win in Poland

THE fight Steed Woodall has dreamt of since childhood is only days away – and he will enter the ring on Saturday an underdog armed with a “nothing to lose” mentality.

At Sheffield’s Park Community Arena, “The Stallion” faces British and Commonwealth super-middleweight champ Callum Simpson.

He will be the away fighter pitted against a formidable titleholder who has never tasted defeat in 15 contest, a Barnsley battler noted for his strength and work rate.

To the vast majority of the pro Simpson crowd, he will be an unknown commodity. Those fans should heed a warning.

Woodall, the latest member of the Eastside, Birmingham, gym to step up to the title plate, has a world class amateur pedigree, has lost only two of 22 pro bouts and earned his mandatory challenger status the hard way.

Last June, the 30-year-old sparked out former British, European and IBO champ Lerrone Richards – a man with an 18 bout unbeaten run - in six.

He was a big underdog for that one, too.

Paul “Soggy” Counihan, part of Steed’s training team, is happy his fighter has been over-looked, even under-valued.

“Everyone has written him off already,” he said. “I said to Steed, ‘you have nothing to lose, so what if you lose? You get out there and get it’.

“The bookies have Callum a massive favourite and that suits us. There is not much footage out there of the Steed we know. What we like is everyone has overlooked Steed except for Callum.

“Steed dreamt of this fight years and years and years ago. I said, ‘this is what you’ve asked for, this is what you wanted. It’s you’re time to step up and show what you can do, this is the opportunity’.”

Woodall’s team have certainly not underestimated what Simpson brings to the table – or the 12 rounder’s significance.

Four championships are on the line. As well as Simpson’s British and Commonwealth titles, the WBO inter-continental and WBA international belts are up for grabs. The winner will gain a world top five ranking with both alphabet organisations.

“Callum Simpson is a tough, tough, strong, big lad,” said Counihan. “We are under no illusions it’s going to be a hard night’s work, we know we are not going to get any favours. Steed knows he has to perform at his best. Steed is going to have to stick to the game plan and make sure he doesn’t get caught early – stay composed, catch, catch…

“If Steed doesn’t do his job, he gets beat – simple as that. If he does, he has the power to stop him. He knows what he has to do, he has to put it into action.

“Lerrone Richards is probably harder to knock out than Callum Simpson, but Simpson has other, better attributes that Lerrone.

“Callum Simpson has only had 15 fights, but he’s done very well in those 15 fights. I don’t think his chin has been tested the way Steed is going to test it. I believe Steed, technically, is a better boxer.

“Steed’s weight is good, training has gone really well. He has been doing 14 rounds sparring with three different sparring partners.”

For years it seemed Steed, who turned pro in America a decade ago, would fail to reach the dizzy heights many thought he was destined for. His career has been plagued by injury and inactivity.

Now his time has finally come – and on Saturday The Stallion aims to show Sheffield some good old Birmingham steel.