Simpson in 'shape of his life'

Russell Steele • Published 3 Sep 2010 14:00 0 Comments

GREENOCK boxing champ John Simpson insists he’s in the ‘best shape of his life’ as he prepares to defend his Commonwealth crown tomorrow.

John is set to take on Liverpool’s Stephen Smith at Glasgow’s Kelvin Hall in a featherweight clash which doubles as a British title eliminator, with the winner earning the right to take on current Lonsdale belt-holder Martin Lindsay.

But John’s eyes are fixed firmly on a successful defence of his Commonwealth belt, on a top-class bill that also sees fellow Scot Ricky Burns take on Roman Martinez in a world title showdown.

John said: “The British title is an added motivation because Martin Lindsay is a fight I’ve been after for a while, but this one tomorrow is going to be tough.

“I’ve been focused on making the weight and from now I can really concentrate and look forward to tomorrow. I’m ready for it - I feel like I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been.

“I’ve been doing a lot of training up in Glasgow and I’ve really come on. I think I’m hitting my peak now.”

Scouse scrapper Smith has fired a few verbal jibes at John ahead of tomorrow’s fight, but the Greenock man is giving his rival every respect - and says he will hit back where it really counts.

He said: “I’ll do my talking on the night. I’ve been watching DVDs and the boy’s a cracking fighter, so I’ll have to be on top of my game.

“But you’ve always got to be confident, and the condition I’m in just now makes me even more so. He’s going to have to work very hard if he wants to beat me.”

The 27-year-old is also delighted with his big-fight build-up - and even got a morale booster from boxing legend Barry McGuigan.

John said: “I’ve done over a hundred sparring rounds and the preparation’s gone really smoothly. I’ve been sparring with top class people like Ricky Burns and Carl Frampton, who’s with Barry McGuigan.

“Barry told me I’m looking in great shape and that was nice to hear.

“It’s also been good working beside Ricky. Hopefully, I’m about to move on to bigger things like he has.”

An additional motivation for John tomorrow will be the fact he lost the last two fights he has had on home soil.

He said: “I know I can put that straight now, as I’ve learned a lot in the last year.”

l John would like to thank his sponsors, Mitchell’s Hire Drive and Drew McKenzie, of Robert Alexander Butchers.

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 03 Sep 10

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