Published: Thursday, 5th June, 2008 3:43pm

Appleby's good, but I'm better, says Simpson

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In shape: Greenock champion boxer John Simpson has been training hard for his title defence against South Queensferry’s Paul Appleby in Glasgow next Friday.
Pic by: Douglas Hendry

GREENOCK’S champion boxer John Simpson is counting down the days until his British title defence, and has told opponent Paul Appleby that “he is quite good — but I’m better.”

It has been a frustrating few months for the featherweight champ, as the date for his title defence was constantly moved back, and his warm-up fight cancelled at the last minute.

Now, though, he insists he is more than ready for the challenge of highly-rated South Quensferry youngster Appleby, in a fight described by Appleby’s promoter Tommy Gilmour as ‘the best match I have made in a decade’.

24-year-old Simpson said: “He [Appleby] says he is bigger and stronger, I don’t know where he gets that from — he is just taller. But a lot of fighters are taller than me, and he won’t bring anything I haven’t seen before.

“It is probably my biggest fight to date because it is at home in front of my own crowd, but I don’t know if I’d say it’s my biggest challenge. When I fought Andy Morris, he was touted as being the next big thing, but I stopped him.

“I know it won’t be easy, though; he has a good, hard punch and seems dangerous. I’m always confident, but this time especially, as I know all the hard work I have put in. He is quite good — but I’m better.”

Simpson has every right to be confident, having been in training for almost 10 weeks after his warm-up fight on the undercard of the cancelled Alex Arthur-Joan Guzman event was scrapped.

Since then, he has been sparring with IBO Inter-continental Lightweight Champion Willie Limond, Ricky Burns, who holds the International Masters Title, and Scottish Area Champion Furhan Rafiq, who fights in Glasgow on the Monday after the Simpson-Appleby bout.

Said Simpson: “My training is going brilliantly, everything feels good.

“I’ll have another couple of hard days, then I’ll cut back leading up to the fight.

“I’ve been travelling to Glasgow to spar every other day. I’ve finished sparring now, I’ve put in a lot of rounds, and I’ve sparred with some tough fighters — it’s really good preparation.

“My promoter says ‘you look strong’, and I am getting down to weight but I feel like I’m keeping my strength. I’ve still got a few pounds to lose, but I won’t have to change my diet too much. It takes a lot of pressure off the week before the fight, as I know I don’t have to overdo it to make the weight for the weigh-in on Thursday.”

Asked about the incentive of a Cyprus holiday Appleby was reportedly offered should he win, Simpson said: “Keeping the belt is my incentive — it’s not about material things, it’s about opening doors to the European belt and beyond.”

Tickets for the fight, which takes place next Friday 6 June at Glasgow’s Kelvin Hall, are available from four outlets in Inverclyde — Domanis fashion shop in West Blackhall Street, Monty’s Bar in Port Glasgow, Oscar’s in Greenock, and Greenock Boxing Club, priced £35-50.

There will be a bus leaving from Oscar’s in Greenock on the night of the fight, and for further details contact the bar.

John would like to thank Mitchells Hire Drive for their continued sponsorship.