Simpson: So sick I nearly quit

Russell Steele • Published 7 Sep 2010 14:00 0 Comments

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GREENOCK boxing hero John Simpson was so sickened by his controversial weekend defeat he was ready to give up his gloves - and quit the sport he loves.

John lost his Commonwealth featherweight title to Liverpool’s Stephen Smith on Saturday night courtesy of a points decision which baffled pundits and pressmen alike, sparking calls for a rematch.

Today, John reveals just how close he came to retiring - before deciding to battle on at super bantamweight level instead.

He told the Tele: “I felt like walking away from the sport on Sunday. I feel robbed to be honest, as I clearly won that fight.

“The boy Smith was either on the back foot or holding on to me all the time. The referee did me no favours because he kept breaking us apart when I wanted to get to work on him close in.

“The computers show my punches had a bigger success rate and the stats showed I’d won the fight.

“What happened with the judges was unbelievable. It leaves me with no title, and obviously it’s the title which you earn off the back of.”

The shock decision - which sparked fury among the sell-out Kelvin Hall crowd - is not the first time John has been on the wrong end of a verdict which has left seasoned fight observers raising eyebrows.

The 27-year-old said: “To take a title off someone, especially in their back yard, you really have to give them a beating.

“When everyone knows that did not happen, you just feel scunnered. It’s three or four times it’s happened to me now and you start to think your face doesn’t fit.

“Smith’s obviously the golden boy at the minute but I feel like I’m being held back.”

But after two days of tough soul-searching, John has now decided to carry on - and will switch weight divisions.

He said: “I believe I won the fight, so walking away would be daft. I’m probably going to go to super bantamweight now.

“I still consider myself the best feathwerweight in Europe but I can see a bigger future for me at super bantamweight, so that’s the plan. I’ll come back stronger for what’s happened.”

John could fight again on a bill in Glasgow later this year, but in the meantime his family and supporters are helping him come to terms with the loss of his belt.

He said: “I want to thank everyone for the support on Saturday, it was superb.

“I want to say how grateful I am to my sponsors too, but I really need to thank my family - my partner Joanna and two boys, Brandon and Ethan, for all the support they give me.”

This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 07 Sep 10

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