This is a 50/50 fight pity its not for a better title
Exclusive: Paul Appleby and John Simpson Rematch
By Tom Gray
Paul Appleby will face John Simpson in a rematch of their highly competitive 2008 showdown which saw Appleby capture Simpson’s British featherweight title.
The pair will collide at the Kelvin Hall on June 29th in a show promoted by Alex Morrison, which will also feature Scott Harrison’s first bout in six years. Appleby and Simpson are friends and ex stable mates but that will be put aside when the former puts his Celtic Super Featherweight title on the line in what is likely to be a cracking fight.
Appleby has been in the wars recently but relishes the prospect; “I’ve had two hard fights (a loss to Liam Walsh and a win over Stephen Ormond) and this is another hard one but I like that and it gives me something to train for.”
“John is very tough and he has a very high work rate, so that is what I have to be ready for. We’ve met as professionals before and I’ve also been in the gym with him, so I know quite a bit about what I’m facing.”
The South Queensferry star also has fond memories of the location; “I won my British title at the Kelvin Hall and I’ve fought three times in that arena, without a loss. I’ve scored two stoppages and a decision win over John at that venue.”
This fight would appear to be make or break for two of the most talented stars in Scotland and preparation for Appleby will be typically gruelling; “I’ll be sparring with Ricky Burns for a few weeks and then we’ll bring in someone of John’s stature. I plan to do some sparring with Sean Watson because he’s short and compact like John.”
Appleby’s trainer, the esteemed Billy Nelson, also trained John Simpson, sharing some of the Greenock man’s finest moments, including a superb British title win over Martin Lindsay. The two men admire each other and there was no acrimony when Simpson elected to return to trainer, Danny Lee, so he could be closer to home.
Appleby sees no obvious advantage for either man but feels Nelson’s knowledge is definitely a positive; “To be honest you know what you’re going to get from John and I,” states Appleby in a serious tone. “But it is good to have Billy (Nelson) in my corner because he knows John better than most people.”
The business side of boxing can be cruel when friends or stable mates are forced to hurt each other and this is one of those times; “I need to fight John and although he’s a mate of mine, it’s the only meaningful fight that both of us have been offered. It’s just the game we’re in and we can be friends afterwards.”
It will be Simpson’s first fight at the super featherweight limit and the three time British featherweight champion might have timed this jump well according to Appleby; “I think John might be stronger at 130lbs because he won’t be draining himself but I feel that I will be physically stronger than him. That will be an advantage for me.”
If Appleby prevails there is only one fight on his mind and that would be a sequel to his awesome clash with Liam Walsh, which took place last year. “I want a rematch with Walsh. That is the only fight that occupies my mind other than this one with John.”
“Eventually I want a world title and I can do it if I keep training hard. I’ve been told by so many people I can do it and Billy tells me all the time I can be champion.”
I hear Billy tells a lot of people how good he is
DD DD
