Jeffers vs. Hemphill: War Looming Beneath the Surface in Barnsley

By Tim Smith - May 16, 2025 - 15 comments

Undefeated super middleweight Mark Jeffers will return to action against Louisiana’s Sean Hemphill in the chief support bout for Callum Simpson vs. Ivan Zucco on Saturday, June 7, live on Sky Sports from Oakwell Stadium in Barnsley. Start time is set for 7:00 p.m. local / 2:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. UK.

The undefeated Englishman knows this is a must-win if he wants the all-British showdown with Simpson. Hemphill isn’t flying across the Atlantic for a paycheck. He’s here to ruin the party.

Is Jeffers ready to break into the big leagues?

Jeffers (20-0, 7 KOs) has done everything right since beating Zak Chelli for the English Title. He hasn’t lost rounds. He hasn’t slipped up. He hasn’t even taken soft touches — just a string of consistent wins. But now he’s got an American with real pedigree in front of him.

Hemphill (18-2, 11 KOs) went the distance with William Scull last year — the same Scull who’s IBF mandatory. That was on a Canelo undercard in Vegas. He’s had two comeback wins since. He’s tough, slick, and hungry. If Jeffers overlooks him, it’s over.

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And with the Simpson fight dangling in front of him, that’s the real danger. Everyone in Lancashire wants that War of the Roses clash. But to earn it, Jeffers has to first survive Hemphill.

What happens if Jeffers wins?

If Jeffers beats Hemphill clearly, the next step is obvious: Simpson vs. Jeffers, likely for a world title eliminator or even a shot. That fight sells out anywhere in the North. But one slip, and he’s back to regional fights and forgotten about.

Hemphill knows the stakes too. A win in the UK over an unbeaten prospect puts him in the mix at 168. And if you think he’s coming over to lose, you haven’t seen him fight. He doesn’t fold. He presses. He’s slick. He’s got more experience in big arenas than Jeffers has.

Jeffers got married 10 days ago. He says the honeymoon’s over, literally. “I was training on my honeymoon,” he said. “I came straight back and went right into camp.” Fair enough. But distractions matter when the guy across from you has 11 knockouts and nothing to lose.

Jeffers wants to show he belongs with the elite. Hemphill wants to crash the party. Only one of them walks out with their next payday guaranteed.

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Event Info

  • Date: Saturday, June 7

  • Venue: Oakwell Stadium, Barnsley, UK

  • Start Time: 7:00 p.m. local / 2:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. UK

  • Broadcast: LIVE on Sky Sports (UK & Ireland)

  • Tickets: Available at BOXXER.com



15 thoughts on “Jeffers vs. Hemphill: War Looming Beneath the Surface in Barnsley”

  1. ‘Jeffers trained on his honeymoon’ 😂 oh wow what dedication bro maybe next time he’ll do padwork at his own weddin reception or sparring while cuttin cake 🧁🥊 give him a medal already lololol 🤦‍♂️

    • ‘sparring while cuttin cake’ I cant breathe 😭 man’s tryna be rocky and romeo same time

    • its dumb honestly… u gettin married then jump into camp? where’s the rest n recharge? burnout comin soon 🚩🚩

  2. Hemphil had experience wit bigger crowds which do matter wen nerves kick in… Even tho jeffers got da wins, dis b da realest test yet nd mayb too much too soon. If he underestim8 Sean? Goodluck.

    • agree with that 💯 Jeffers hasn’t fought in these kinda atmospheres, crowd pressure can ruin focus quick

  3. ‘i dunno why everyones hyping this ‘war of roses’ thing like its some middle age swordfight ⚔️ get real its two boxers tryna get rich not shakespeare drama class 😆 might as well call it tea party brawl next time.

    • lmfao ‘tea party brawl’ im dead 😂 they act like its a Game of Thrones episode or somthin

    • Its litterally just branding for ticket sales haha.. nothing ‘historic’ about two guys from same country fighting 🤷‍♀️

  4. ‘Oh yeah sure, trainin on his honeymoon – that always ends well 😂 next hell say he sparred the priest too! Jeffers better hope love dont make him soft cause Hemphill bring divorce papers to the ring 📜✊

  5. ‘Dis fight gone be a test of styles – jeffers with his patient technical aproach vs hemphill whos more agressive n likes to counterpunch 🚨 if jeffers stays sharp on outside he cud control the tempo an win by decison.

  6. jeffers is overated, literaly never fought someone like hemphil who went toe to toe with skull 😤 and ppl acting like hes already beat simpson too? lolol wait til hemphil jab his face in 3rd round.

    • ‘overated’? Bro hes undefeated!😂 He’ll slap Hemphill so hard he’ll be wishin he stayed home eatin crawfish 🦐

    • @Yyoung finally someone say it. Hemphill has faced real compition not just local yokels from Blackpool

  7. well i thinks mark jeffers is gunna do it 💪 he’s bin fightin hard and deserv his big break now. his record says it all, no losees n all W’s 🥊 hemphil mite be tuff but jeffers got it in the bag, i bet my dog on it lol

    • ur rite! jeffers is hungri n ready i saw him train once at gym he was so fast like liteenin ⚡️ hemphil gonna regret flyin here

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