Simpson aiming for world title shot

SCOTLAND have been waiting to hail a new world-class ring star since Scott Harrison hit the self-destruct button. John Simpson thinks that wait is finally over.
The country has quickly forgotten former world champion Harrison but not the Commonwealth featherweight king.
Simpson is using Harrison as his inspiration to step up to the top level but once there he has vowed to avoid the pitfalls that saw Scotland's one-time golden boy hit the skids.
The 26-year-old likes a drink but his days of partying have been nipped in the bud having been hit with a major jolt to the system with a British title defeat to fellow Scot Paul Appleby last June.
The Greenock fighter is now back on track having retained his Commonwealth belt with an awesome 10th-round stoppage of Paul Truscott in Middlesbrough last weekend.
Simpson's elevation gathered pace on Thursday when he was made mandatory challenger to fight Northern Ireland's Martin Lindsay for the British crown he snatched from Appleby in Belfast in April.
That would be a daunting challenge for most men. But Simpson isn't most men and he's convinced it is only a matter of time before he's holding a world belt above his head.
He said: "I am working my way to a world title shot. That is where I want to be, that is where the money is made and that is what my long-term goal is.
"My immediate goal is winning back my British title and beating Lindsay would catapult me into the world reckoning because he is highly rated.
"The way Scott has gone now is what you have to bodyswerve. But he made 12 defences as world champion and is one of the best Scottish boxers in history .
"I want to follow in his footsteps and follow his route to be a Scottish success story."
The quiet but charming Simpson seems an unlikely hero. In fact he only realised how good he was having watched his crushing defeat of Truscott on Sky when he woke up last Saturday morning.
He said: "I don't like watching myself after fights but after viewing the bout I realised I am better than I thought.
"Usually when I come back after a fight, I think I boxed well and when I watch the tape I amnot as good as I thought I was.
"I didn't have the belief but now I know people who praised me were right. That has given me more confidence that I can be world champion."
One of those telling him he can be king of the world is Harrison's former trainer Billy Nelson, who shares the coaching with long-time mentor Danny Lee.
Simpson said: "Billy is always telling me I can fight for the world title and win it if keep on track.
"Billy has worked with Harrison. He sees a resemblance and has said that to me a few times. It's a great compliment and I am quite proud of that."
Simpson admits he is spurred on by the fact he is fighting for a better life for his family although he feared he'd force his girlfriend into an early labour last weekend.
Joanna, son Brandon and Simpson's doting mum and dad Helena and John were back in Greenock and the boxer said: "Everyone is over the moon after watching it.
"They feel every punch with me and I've put them through so much in the past.
"My girlfriend is pregnant and stayed behind. It's tough for her watching me and I was worried the stress would see her give birth earlier than expected."
But when the baby does arrive it may soon find it has a world champion for a daddy.

 

I think he's capable . If he beats Lindsay that'll put him in good stead .Lindsay's been offered a world title shot has he not and knocked it back ? Look at Bernard Dunne as well .

 

Don't think he should go near Matthews tbh .Seen what happened in the last fight .Simpson's leading the way this time .Simpson can do bigger and better than that just now .Matthew's is is step back , pointless .
http://www.scottishboxing.co.uk/?p=742#more-742

 

I know what your saying mate but when you look at the 2 robberies , Williams and Matthews . I think it's fair to say he win both of them anyway so it's pretty pointless .Self pride would be good enough for me .