Commonwealth featherweight champion John Simpson is confident that experience will reap its reward when he puts his title on the line against Stephen Smith this weekend. The pair meet in Glasgow's Kelvin Hall on Saturday night in a fight that will also serve as an eliminator for the right to challenge Martin Lindsay for the British title. Liverpool's Smith has already claimed he will end up the one fighting for the Lonsdale belt but Simpson, who lost the British title to Paul Appleby, dismissed his opponent's words as bravado. "I would expect that kind of talk," he said. "I'm kind of quiet and I don't really like to shoot my mouth off. But I'm confident that I'm definitely going to win. "I like to let my fists do the talking and hopefully this fight will lead onto bigger and better things." The fight will be Simpson's 11th championship fight and Smith's first, with the former stating: "I feel I've got the edge in terms of experience. "I've got more experience but he is a good boy, he's got a good amateur pedigree and he will bring that into the ring with him on Saturday night - but I still feel confident." No problems Simpson added his belief that he is in the best shape of his career, saying: "I'm feeling good ahead of this fight. "I've had a good preparation so there are no problems. "I'll be fit - I'm the fittest I've ever been so I'm looking forward to it. "I'm definitely back to my best. I'm at my peak just now. I've been training well and everything has gone to plan so I'm feeling confident." Although Simpson will fight in front of a Scottish crowd, he insisted he would be able to beat Smith anywhere. He said: "It helps having a home crowd behind me and that will spur me on. "But I'm also good fighting away, it doesn't really matter to me." http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12183_6354526,00.html
the more people talk bout being in the best shape of their career, the least convinced i am that they are
Simmy was like a machine in his last fight, non-stop. So if hes in the same shape for this one? I think that says hes in top, top shape. Cant wait for this one, should be a helluva tearup.
There is an awful, awful lot of red on Smiths record, he certainly loves feasting on fighters with significant losing slates...when Simpson puts his foot down on the gas Smith won't be able to stick with him. There is an absolute chasm in experience between the two fighters and Jason Thomas, Chris Riley or Gavin Reid will not have prepared Smith for a fighter like Simpson....I can't see this any other way than a fairly simple nights work for John.
Hang on....I havent bit at anyones opinion on here, everyone is entitled to it BUT....for you to say I "certainly love feasting on fighters with significant losing slates" is an absolute joke! There is no one who would have knocked me for fighting more "journeymen" fighters at this stage but I have stepped up to the plate and asked for this fight. So to say I love feasting on bums is an insult really. Im stepping up because I know im ready and more than good enough and will show that Saturday night. I dont want to go through the motions beating bums like other prospects have done in the past. I think that alone knocks your statement..and as for the easy nights work...:huh
well said ste just wait till saturday night and prove them wrong i believe your gonna do it bud good luck for saturday
Fair play, you obviously feel that you're ready. However, only ever having taken on one man coming off a win is hardly a good grounding for a ring pro of John Simpsons quality. Good luck. ***I would never use the word "bum" to describe a man who steps through the ropes to make a living
Ithe point is its a gulf in class on paper analysing statistics etc but in reality most have it as a 50/50 fight which is a testament to Smiths pedigree in the gym and the glimpses we have seen so far in the pro ring. Smiths experience comes from the ams he has already fought at a high level for years and learnt his trade now is the time to jump in at the deep end in the pro ranks. If his stamina is good over 12 Smith will take it
& the Liverpool laddie isnt half jumping in at the deep end. If he can take out John Simpson at this stage in his career, the worlds his oyster. I think Simpson is a world class fighter stuck at domestic level at the moment, I honestly do. So if this kid can beat Simpson? The world is indeed his oyster. I cant think of a better way of saying it at this hour.
I know where you're coming from, pre-fight hyperbole and all that... BUT, as far as John Simpson is concerned, from what I've seen of him in the gym in the recent past, the man is like a posessed demon when it comes to fitness and stamina. I'm sure Stephen Smith knows this already, but there's no way you can bank on Simpson gassing it. He'll be there strong as an ox from first bell to last. The man is a fighting machine.
Good to hear it Billy...just one thing, if he wins tell the miserable **** to smile . Good luck to John :thumbsup
do you think appleby was any more experienced than smith when he fought simpson for the british? although i think i had simpson winning that fight, it was not a simple nights work