Selby-Simpson OFF

Seen it on bunce's hour. Shame i was looking forward to this 1. Johns pulled out with a viral infection dean powell says its likely to be rescheduled at a later date. Was offered to Martin Lindsay but was too short notice to make the weight.

 

John Simpson Exclusive: "When I beat Selby I’ll be Number One in Britain"

Simpson (Right) takes on the undefeated Lee Selby
Simpson (Right) takes on the undefeated Lee Selby

By Tom Gray



John Simpson challenges Lee Selby for the British and Commonwealth featherweight titles at London’s York Hall on November 18th in a very attractive match-up which will ultimately decide the brave Scot’s career path.



Simpson lost the British title to Stephen Smith in April and has managed to take a well earned rest from the sport; “I always do some running and tick over in the gym but I took some time away from boxing” said the former champion. “I was expecting to fight in July but that didn’t come off and then I got married at the beginning of September. Since then I’ve been back in the gym preparing for Selby and I’ll be ready as always.”



The undefeated Selby, from Barry in Wales, dethroned Stephen Smith via pulverizing eighth round knockout in September; “I had expected Stephen to come out the winner in that fight but he got knocked out clean” recalls Simpson. “I was surprised at the time but the more I watch the fight I can see where Stephen went wrong and I can see what Selby did well. Lee boxed effectively and he’s a good fighter, there’s no doubt about that.”



Selby, 12-0 (3KO’s), has stated more than once that he has been holding back his punching power and three knockouts in his last four fights does support that theory. He also maintains that this new found concussive hitting is exactly what John Simpson can expect when the two come face to face. “To be honest I can’t be bothered rising to any bait” laughs Simpson. “With all due respect to Lee I’ve been in this game for years and I know what to expect from each fighter. I know what he’s got and I’ll do what I have to do on the night.”



Simpson is a pure workman and this reporter has been privy to his torturous training regime on several occasions; “Preparation has been going very well” said the 28 year old enthusiastically. “The three guys I’ve been sparring with; Paul Appleby, Michael Roberts and Ricky Burns are all taller than me and they’re all rangy. I recently finished Ricky’s last week of sparring (in preparation for Michael Katsidis) and we covered thirty rounds in five days.”



“I’ve put in good work for a rangier opponent but Lee’s quite tricky and he does keep his distance well” acknowledged Simpson. “He doesn’t over commit himself and he’s good at what he does but I’m going in there to take each round as it comes. I don’t like to get a game plan built up in my head because when it doesn’t work out, you start struggling, and then where are plans B and C? I’ll just be working – hard.”

Selby is poised for a European title tilt, should he be victorious, and Simpson admits to feeling overlooked when these plans are mentioned; “I always get under estimated! Through my whole life I’ve been an underdog, so this is nothing new to me. Lee Selby comes along, has one good performance, and everyone is raving about him. I should have fought for the European before now because I’ve won a Lonsdale belt outright and made two defences of the Commonwealth title.”



Simpson, who has fought at this level for seven years, continues; “Due to politics and bad decisions I haven’t been able to progress with my career but regardless of that I don’t want to dwell on the past. I want to concentrate on Lee Selby and my motivation is that the European title shot is there for “the winner” so I’ll be taking it to him. I’m not really interested in defending the British and I see this as a stepping stone for me to get to something at international or world level.”



Despite these aspirations the former champion does acknowledge his opponents class and seems well aware of the challenge that awaits him; “Lee Selby is a hard enough task and I’m aware of that. I don’t think he’s better than me but I’m certainly not going to overlook him” admits Simpson. “He’s a tough opponent but once I win this fight it will be on to bigger and better things because I’ve been waiting on a break for years. When I beat Selby I’ll be number one in Britain because in my eyes I beat Stephen Smith twice.”



This reporter recently asked Stephen Smith for his take on what is sure to be an excellent domestic clash and, for the time being, he remains firmly on the fence; “I’m not sure who wins this fight” said the affable former champion. “Selby’s win over me flatters him in my opinion as I was flat and under performed but obviously he could only beat what was in front of him. I feel John could draw him into his kind of fight, which should make it interesting. If Selby can keep it long he can outpoint John, if John makes it a fight he will outfight Selby.”



Speaking of predictions, tomorrow evening will see the aforementioned Ricky Burns and Michael Katsidis lock horns for the WBO interim championship and John Simpson has this to say in relation to his stable mate’s lightweight debut; “Ricky is looking good. I really feel the difference in him; he’s a lot stronger, he’s retained his speed and he’s punching harder. I think that Ricky has timed his move well because Katsidis is a big name and although he has a lot left, he isn’t what he once was. He recently took a beating from Robert Guerrero and that was a bad one.”



Both Burns vs. Katsidis and Selby vs. Simpson will be shown live on BoxNation (Channel 445) via the Sky platform.

 

Was an interview on secondsout seems as if the winner is set on a european title shot. Johns not interested in defending the british as hes won the lonsdale outright. think he deserves a crack at the european should have got 1 after the lindsay fight IMO but ****** seems to hang John out to dry everytime by throwing him in against his undefeated fighters and no matter what he does he doesnt get the decision.