PAUL APPLEBY today predicted he will become Scotland's youngest ever holder of a Lonsdale belt by first taking the British featherweight title off Greenock's John Simpson.
The 20-year-old from South Queensferry would then have to twice defend his title but he is not lacking in confidence. Appleby takes on Simpson at the Kelvin hall on June 6 and he has promised the champion a "ring war".
Appleby will step up his pr
eparations by travelling to former world Cruiserweight champion Glenn McCrory's gym in Durham for some finely-tuned sparring.
Appleby said: "Glenn McCrory has set up sparring sessions with three featherweights who will imitate John Simpson's style so I'll be in the sharpest form of my career. Simpson is a feisty fighter like me but he can't body punch so I aim to stop him inside the distance.''
However, Simpson today brushed off his young rivals bravado saying: "I agree with Appleby, it will be a war but I've been down the 12-round title-fight route five times which is totally uncharted territory for Appleby.
"Besides, I need only one more win to keep the Lonsdale Belt so Appleby's going to have the fight of his life." And Appleby's ring coach Steve McGuire today urged caution in the early rounds.
"I've told Paul that he will have to box for the openings for his body punches in the early rounds and that's what he will be practising."
Promoter Tommy Gilmour reckons the contest will be one of the most best this season.
"Paul Appleby is a throwback to bantamweight Peter Kennan, the only Scottish boxer to win two Lonsdale Belts outright back in the 1950s.
"He's exciting and can punch but a big ringside contingent cheering Paul Appleby from the east could be crucial in inspiring him to victory.
"Greenock's John Simpson will be well supported. I can't guarantee the result but I can guarantee that Appleby v Simpson will be one of the most talked about title fights of 2008."
The full article contains 345 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
