John Simpson - Stephen Smith 11th June

Absolutely,... Lindsay, Simpson, Appleby/Smith. There is no doubting his class (from what i've seen of him) but the real measure of a fighters ability is how he reacts when he is actually put under real pressure by a proper operator like Simpson, something that we haven't seen with Smith so far. :thumbsup

 

thus why this fight is a necesity at the juncture in his career :deal

 

a think its the right time for swifty to step up and really think he will beat simpson a dont think simpson would od been in with someone as skillful as stephen

 

Its too soon, you only have to look at Applebys experience to recognise that. Smiths ranking is more to do with the weakness of the division rather than his perceived strength...I should perhaps have done Lindsay, Simpson >>Appleby>>>>Smith to clarify my thoughts :thumbsup

 

I think the thing is though, where is there for stephen to go if he doesn't step up now? fight tin cans, and he will be slated. End of the day, it is a weakish division with maybe 7-8 decent operators. If he has never been under the pressure as you say, then maybe now is the time.
Ideally, maybe he would fight bhatia or someone like that first. But the opportunity is there, props to him for taking it on!

 

I would say Featherweight is one of the stronger divisions domesticly, although I think Appleby and Truscott are moving up.

He has beat guys like Bhatia and Truscott in the ams.

You gotta ask yourself this as well, why would Warren risk Smith with Simpson unless he and Powell were very confident in him?

 

true warren must beleive in him 100% he knows wat talent he has in his stable i think hes pushing all his prospects recently tough fight for frankie g v peter mcdonagh never happened with khan he was fightin easy opponents frank warren might of learned his lesson

 

well at this stage the risk is about the same as the reward.

But basically, he trusts enough to feel he can win the fight.

 

Like Billy said - there is a lot of mutual respect between both camps so there will be no trash talk.

This for me is what makes the fight so intriguing from a fans perspective. Some feel it may be too much too soon, Simpson having too much. Some think its a pick em. Some feel I will show my class and beat Simpson. Either way its gathering interest quickly and will be one that people will want to watch to get the answers.

Im 100% confident of winning, im sure John feels the same which will make for a great night :good

 

What rankles with me with some people is that they cry out for a match up like this, and want prospects to be stepped up sooner, and then as soon as it happens there are cries of oh no it is too soon.
I have been guilty of this in the past to a certain extent. But i am now firmly in the camp of if they are good enough, then let's get it on!
Quality step up for ste. On his last fight they were prepared to let him in with rocky dean. A hard nut to crack!
Christ, no-one thinks simpson is going to roll over on this one, and it is a difficult one to call. But i will put my neck on the line and go for close UD for swifty.
Best of luck to both

 

i agree with ya on that a think ste will be to skillfull and get a gd points win wouldnt surprise me tho if ste got a late stoppage wat ever happens be a class fight

 

I have been so wrong with stoppage predictions lately, i am have stopped doing them. :good

 

Ha ha, you've got to love the Simpson cheerleaders on here, completely loyal and blinkered to the end.

 

a bit jealous that john can at least take on a class opponent for his title

 

awright rob you pop down to the P.O. only joking wee man. Ricky Burns will be beating Martinez when they meet my friend!