Simpson and Smith ready for battle

Champion: Simpson

John Simpson and Stephen “Swifty” Smith meet on September 4th at the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow for Simpson’s Commonwealth Featherweight Title.


The bout will also be an eliminator for the British Title which is held by Martin Lindsay and the pair are both confident of success in what is rapidly becoming one of the most talked about domestic fights of the year.

Simpson 27, from Greenock in Scotland has a 21-6-0 record and has held the Commonwealth Title since knocking out Paul Truscott in January 2009.

Smith on the other hand has a perfect 10-0 record with six knockouts and is hoping that a Commonwealth Title victory will be a step closer to the British Title.

Smith 25, from Liverpool is one the famous Smith boxing brother’s and will be hoping that he can become the second boxer in the family to hold a title after his brother Paul captured the British Super-Middleweight Title last year.

Challenger Stephen (second from left) with brothers Callum (far left)  Liam (far right) Paul (second from right) and father Paul Snr. (centre)

John Simpson obviously has the most experience of the two and thinks that will be the telling factor when the pair meet in just under three week’s time.

“Stephen Smith can keep on dreaming of the British Title, but he’ll never win it,” snarled Simpson.

“What he seems to be forgetting is that he has to beat me to get his shot, and that’s not happening.”

Simpson is ready for battle

“He’s a good kid, but come on, does he have the experience and tool’s to beat me?” added the champion.

“There is no way I am leaving the ring on September 4th a loser, especially in front of my own fans.”

Swifty turned pro in June 2008 after a superb amateur career and hope’s the experience he gained in the amateur’s and his first ten pro fight’s will help in his quest for Commonwealth glory.

“John has a lot of experience in the pro’s, but was a limited amateur,” Said Smith.

“I don’t have a lot of pro experience yet, but had a hell of a lot of experience as a top level amateur and I feel I am more than ready to step up to this level now in the pro’s.”

“The fact that the fight doubles up as a British Title eliminator is an added incentive really, something to add to the reward of beating John Simpson.”

“Claiming the Commonwealth belt and a shot at the British belt means everything, I won’t look past this fight though, I know what I have to do.”

Swifty in training (pic by mersey gloves)

“Training has gone well so far, the sparring has been good, but more importantly with knowing the opponent, I’ve been able to study him and work hard on tactics and a great game plan.”

“I know the crowd will be against me but a ring is a ring at the end of the day and it doesn’t matter how loud the crowd shout against me, they can’t get in and help him and can’t lift him enough to beat me, I will be too good on the night.”

“I will win with a great performance and will show people what I can do.”

John Simpson v Stephen Smith from the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow is live on Sky Sports on September 4th.

By Phil D. Jay