Callum Simpson’s dreams of bringing a world title fight to Barnsley moved a step closer to reality on Saturday night after the undefeated 28 year-old got off the canvas twice to stop the dangerous Italian, Ivan Zucco, in ten hell for leather rounds at the Yorkshire town’s Oakwell Stadium.

As Zucco went to hospital for precautionary tests, the new European super middleweight champion proudly displayed his new trophy and allowed himself to look into the future.

Last August, Boxxer took the gamble of taking Simpson’s British and Commonwealth title fight with Zak Chelli to Oakwell and the local hero repaid them by attracting 7,000 fans to the event.

Last night, 15,000 people turned out to watch his fight with Zucco and Simpson is already dreaming about upscaling things again next summer.

“We did the British and Commonwealth titles last year and we did the European tonight. We’re gonna bring a world title here next year. Why not?” Simpson (18-0, 13 KOs) said after the fight.

“Listen, there is nobody doing what we're doing. We’re a small little mining town in South Yorkshire and look what we've done. I’m speechless.

“I knew it was going to be a very, very tough fight. I trained very hard and expected a tough fight and that's what I'm stepping up to.

“I want to be a world champion by next year and those are the kind of fights that I need."

The dream night almost turned into a nightmare. Simpson was dropped briefly after just eight seconds of the fight and again - more heavily - in the third.

After the fight, Simpson’s team insisted that his reaction to being dropped alleviated any concerns they may have had and that their man perfectly implemented the technical and tactical changes they wanted him to make to perfection.

After spending too much time squared up in front of Zucco (21-1, 18 KOs) in the early stages, Simpson began to spend more and more time in the sweet spot and wore the brave Italian down. Simpson dropped his man three times in the tenth round to bring the fight to a dramatic end.

Last week, Simpson’s manager, Kevin Maree, told The Ring that Simpson’s mental strength and ability to focus is unlike anything he has ever seen and the way he handled his first real crisis demonstrated that perfectly.

“My legs were all right, everything was fine,” Simpson said. “I think it was that maturity. I didn’t let it get to me. I just refocused and got straight back to work. I got dropped again but it's just not letting it faze me. I think the first one was a flash knockdown, the second one, the team said to just take my time and I got up.

“We're stepping up in levels. There’s no easy fights but not once did I give up.”

Simpson has been guided perfectly to this point and has accumulated the type of drawing power that will ensure that he has a real say in any world title negotiations.

Until last night, Simpson had never tasted the canvas either as an amateur or a professional and getting up to win put another tick in another box.

Over the past twelve months Simpson has proven beyond doubt that he can handle the pressure and expectation of carrying a major event and last night he beat his first undefeated fighter, overcame being hit and hurt and also had to deal with his first minor cut.

Simpson’s work rate and finishing ability are well known but last night he had to display a different side of himself.

“I've got that dog in me,” Simpson said. “I've said since day one. I've known it and my team knows it. Maybe I needed that. It was tough, he [Zucco] has had 21 fights and knocked 18 of them out. He’s a very, very strong man.

“I was never going to stop. I trained too hard to give in. It would have been easy after getting knocked down twice in the first three rounds to give in, but I've got that Yorkshire grit. I'm never going to give up. We’re bred different in Barnsley.”