Stephen Smith vs. John Simpson II & David Price vs. Raphael Butler RBR

Round 11

Simpson is lobbing underhanded to the body, landing as Smith protects his face and tries to circle out. Smith is again getting outlanded as they lean together and bang away low on the inside but is putting in an effort to keep up. A short left hook to the jaw by Smith lands as he brings his arms up, but softly. Simpson keeps trying to chop away with his right hand and is continuously overshot and grabbed. They wrestle quite a lot, all across the ring now. Smith is shouldering Simpson into the ropes but eating uppercuts. Nice uppercut and then an unexpectedly quick hooking right by Simpson!! Slapping shots by Simpson as he's backed once more to the corner, not damaging but scoring. Simpson keeps letting his hands go as Smith tries for a few more body shots but doesn't reach.

106-103 Simpson

 

Round 12

Simpson throws jabs and chopping rights until Smith shoots in and grabs him, and then backs away with both arms extended and draped over Smith's neck like a classical dancing partner. They trade and spin into the ropes. Simpson stalks when they separate. Again, a chopping right lands and again he's grabbed. Smith jabs from outside, now a 1-2-3. They collide into the ropes again, Simpson now spun around to face the crowd. More clinching soon enough thereafter. Smith now swings wildly, his arms wide to facilitate another snatch-up. Simpson is twisting and pulling to get free and shake Smith loose, then tapping him with short blows.

116-112 John Simpson

 

If Simpson doesn't retain, he seals his legacy as one of the unluckiest boxers in UK history. :yep

Judges are fonder of Mijares.

 

MD

Parris 114-114
O'Connor 118-112
Foster 115-114

for Smith