Troy Williamson is looking forward to a bright future after scoring a spectacular 10th-round stoppage of Callum Simpson in Leeds on Saturday night.

The 34-year-old from Darlington walked to the ring as a dangerous underdog. He left it as the British, Commonwealth and European super middleweight champion.

Simpson has developed into one of the few British fighters capable of carrying a stadium show singlehandedly and was a cornerstone of Boxxer's broadcast deal with the BBC. The plan was for him to return to Barnsley this summer for an open air, prime-time spectacular.

Williamson (22-4-1, 16 KOs) tore up those plans by dropping him four times. The new champion never had any doubts.

"This is deep. I carried this piece of paper with me every single day in my car and read it to myself four or five times a day," he said in the ring.

"I put it in my sock. I signed it on the 28th of October and it said, 'I will become British, Commonwealth and European Champion on December 20th. I will knock out Callum Simpson. #AndTheNew'. Tonight, you have got yourself a new British, Commonwealth and European super middleweight champion and I did knock out Callum Simpson.

"I'm a big believer in manifestation. I've manifested this for months. Big believer of dreaming, believing, becoming and I dreamt it, believed it massively and became a champion again."

Williamson broke through as an exciting, aggressive junior middleweight and powered his way to the British title before his time at 154 pounds petered out. He trailed around after Josh Kelly, Caoimhin Agyarko and lacked any snap during a decision loss to Ishmael Davis.

His decision moving up to 168 has come late in his career but has revitalised him, looking back to his explosive best when knocking out Mark Dickinson in September before also showing strength, stamina and smarts against a huge Simpson.

"I brought it up earlier in fight week; self-belief. Nobody believes in me more than myself. I'm a massive believer in myself," he said.

"I know what I can do at the right weight. I did say that this was my right weight. People might have thought I was bluffing it and talking a load of rubbish, but this is my right weight division and it showed."

Winning British titles at two different weights, 14 pounds apart is a significant achievement but Williamson is looking forward. He can enjoy Christmas with his family, safe knowing his sporting future is secure, and as he spoke the realisation of what he'd achieved began to dawn on him.

"It's changed my life. I've always wanted a better upbringing for my children than what I had growing up," he said.

"I've deserved that title for the performance of a lifetime. I've just basically changed mine and the kids' lives for the better. I'm looking forward to what's next in 2026."