Boxing: Callum Simpson eyes future shot at Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez

Would Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez swap the mariachi music of hometown Guadalajara for a tune from Barnsley’s brass bands?

Or maybe the Mexican superstar would prefer to sip a bitter ale, rather than tequila, while listening to cricketing tales from the town’s legendary umpire Dickie Bird?

For British and Commonwealth super-middleweight champion Callum Simpson, a fight against undisputed king Alvarez at the home of his beloved Barnsley Football Club isn’t as far-fetched as many might think.

“I’ll show him the town during fight week. Barnsley Town Hall is a beautiful building. For me, it’s the ninth wonder of the world,” the 28-year-old says with a grin.

“But seriously, two years ago, I did an interview saying I want to fight Canelo at Oakwell Stadium and people laughed, saying ‘you’ll never fight at Oakwell let alone Canelo’.

“But on Saturday I’m fighting at Oakwell for the second time in 10 months, having sold thousands of tickets, so why not Canelo at some point?”

Realistically, sharing the ring with Alvarez – who will defend his crown against American icon Terence Crawford in September – is a fair way away. And it is unlikely the 34-year-old has heard of Barnsley, let alone able to point it out on a map.

But Simpson, undefeated in 17 fights, is confident he will land a world-title shot next year.

First, though, he must overcome unbeaten Italian Ivan Zucco – who has 18 stoppages in 21 wins – for the vacant European title on Saturday.

“He’s had more knockouts than I’ve had fights so I’m definitely not overlooking him,” Simpson adds. “This is the next proper step.”