Tucker vs. Simpson: Social Media Beef Turns into Ring Rivalry on June 21 at Prudential Center

The digital back-and-forth between rising middleweights Jahi Tucker and Lorenzo “Truck” Simpson is over — it’s time to settle this in the ring. On Saturday, June 21, at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, Tucker and Simpson will face off in a 10-round special attraction that’s got more heat than their social media exchange. The fight will stream live on ESPN+ in the U.S.

This showdown is part of a stacked card headlined by Vito Mielnicki Jr. against Kamil Gardzielik, with a heavyweight co-feature between unbeaten Polish contenders Damian Knyba and Marcin Siwy.

Social media beef goes live

It all started with conflicting accounts of a recent sparring session. Tucker (14-1-1, 6 KOs) fired the first shots online, and Simpson (13-1, 5 KOs) responded in kind. Now, it’s time for the gloves to come off for real.

“This man is telling everyone that he dropped me in sparring. That never happened. I beat him around the ring, and I’m going to do it again, for real this time, on June 21,” Tucker said. “Truck talked his way into this fight, and I’m going to beat him down for however long it lasts.”

Simpson responded: “I’m glad that he finally took the fight. He spoke on me. I’ve been going through many things, but I’m focused now. A lot of fighters try to paint this tough narrative, but at the end of the day, we have to fight. This will be a great clash of styles, and I think we can steal the show.”

Tucker’s rise continues

Tucker, the Brooklyn-born phenom, has been on a tear since his pro debut at age 17. Despite a December 2023 draw against Argentine Olympian Francisco Daniel Veron, Tucker’s bounced back strong, winning four consecutive fights, including a dominant stoppage of veteran Quilisto Madera in November. His 2025 debut came in April, where he dropped former British champ Troy Williamson twice on the way to a dominant unanimous decision win.

Simpson’s comeback

Simpson, the former Youth National Champion and decorated amateur, turned pro in 2018 with high expectations. After a perfect 13-0 start, he hit a snag with a majority decision loss to Vladimir Hernandez in August 2023 and a split decision loss to Raiko Santana last June. But Simpson’s back on track — in February 2025, he crushed Trevon Smith in the opening round at Prudential Center, showing he’s ready for the challenge.

Why you should watch

• Tucker vs. Simpson: It’s not just a fight, it’s personal — this online beef will be settled in the ring.

• The undercard’s stacked with Mielnicki-Gardzielik and a heavyweight showdown between Knyba-Siwy.

• Two hungry, young middleweights with big chips on their shoulders looking to make a statement.

Confirmed fights

Main Card

• Jahi Tucker vs. Lorenzo “Truck” Simpson, 10 rounds, middleweight

• Vito Mielnicki Jr. vs. Kamil Gardzielik, 10 rounds, middleweight

• Damian Knyba vs. Marcin Siwy, 10 rounds, heavyweight

Undercard

• Additional bouts TBA

Event info

• Date: Saturday, June 21, 2025

• Location: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey

• Time: 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT / 12:00 AM UK

• Stream: LIVE on ESPN+

• Tickets: Available now via Ticketmaster.com