Simpson ready for title defence

Roger Graham • Published 1 Jul 2009 14:00

GREENOCK boxer John Simpson is in tip-top condition as he looks forward to defending his Commonwealth featherweight title against Paul Truscott.

It is a re-match of the contest Simpson won in Middlesbrough in February when he took the title from Truscott on his home patch.

That fight was stopped in the eighth round with Truscott pouring blood from an eye wound, but by then Simpson was really imposing himself on the Englishman.

The rematch is now scheduled for Friday 17 July, again in Middlesbrough, after two switches of the fight date.

Simpson said: 'I"m in the best shape of my life. It"s my 11th week of training.

'If I win this then I"ve got a fight against Steven Bell [from Manchester].'

Simpson"s aim is to get another tilt at the British featherweight title which he lost, after two successful defences, to Paul Appleby from Edinburgh.

Appleby himself then lost to Martin Lindsay of Northern Ireland.

Simpson"s preparation has included sparring with the heavier light-welterweight Barry Morrison, for strength, and the lighter Martin O"Neill for speed. Trainer Danny Lee said: 'Everything has been going well. He [Simpson] is bouncing at the moment.'

Unfortunately, because of the various switches of date for the fight, Danny will be in Canada at the time of the contest, instead of in his usual place in Simpson"s corner, but he said: 'We"ve got Benny King to replace me. He"s one of the best cut men in Britain.'

King lives in Wemyss Bay and Simpson said: 'I know Benny and am friendly with him.'

Simpson wished to thank main sponsors Mitchell"s Hire Drive, as well as JC Fitness Studio and Musclebound health foods.

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 01 Jul 09

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