06.06.08 – Shaun Brown: After only his twelfth professional fight Paul Appleby has won the British Featherweight title following in the footsteps of legends like Ted ‘Kid’ Lewis and Barry Mcguigan. It was a battle of east meets west and despite the ‘welcome to hell’ banners that greet Edinburgh fighters when they travel to Glasgow the 20-year old produced a gutsy performance over John Simpson..
Both men entered to the sound of bagpipes and the Kelvin Hall in Glasgow was rocking. The fight had the country talking. How good was Appleby and was he ready to step up to this level so early in his career? The opening couple of rounds showed Simpson’s experience and Appleby’s nerves. The champion was composed, steady and throwing intelligent punches from the outset. The challenger was mis-timing his attacks and wasn’t up to the pace early on.
As the fight continued the challenger from South Queensferry grew more and more into the contest. His jab began to work and whilst the champion from Greenock was always looking for the overhand right it was Appleby who quickly evened up the scores by round four. The 11-0 challenger was more than willing to trade and showed good energy. At times his inexperience showed as he waded in, often getting caught – but fortunately not with hurtful punches.
Appleby began to walk his man down. Simpson never looked happy trying to fight whilst moving backwards and when he continually looked at his corner during clinches the signs weren’t looking good as the challenger was beginning to take over. That was more evident with a knockdown in the fifth when a left hook to the head from Appleby seemed to surprise Simpson and sent the champion down. He was infuriated as he deemed it to be a slip but it seemed the infuriation was at himself for getting caught so easily.
A continuous trait of Appleby’s was to charge in, prepared to take one if he could land two. Against a more powerful puncher that tactic might have saw him taste canvas but Simpson isn’t noted as a powerhouse which his record of only six knockouts confirms.
The seventh and eighth witnessed something of a mini revival from the champion. He had Appleby in real trouble when a couple of vicious body shots had the challenger wincing and holding on. Despite this it was Appleby who stepped on the gas and upped his work rate again as the champion found another six minute flat spot over the next couple of rounds. The champion was offering very little and seemed to be uncomfortable with his opponent’s come forward approach for most of the fight. Appleby’s confidence was there for his travelling fans to see when he raised his hands to them after getting his gumshield changed in the tenth.
You sensed that Simpson would have to dig deep to retain his title and to try and throw everything at Appleby. It seemed at times like the very opposite. Simpson’s performance was static and one paced as he threw only single punches as against his opponent’s willingness to mix up his punches and box on the inside and the outside.
As Appleby came out for the eleventh his corner warned him “we didn’t come here for the decision”. Urging their man on to continue with the work rate and double up on the jab. Simpson was looking deflated and although Appleby’s tiredness was making him a bit ragged and reckless he did seem to want it that bit more.
Despite a valiant twelfth round from the champion it was deemed not to be enough as the challenger gained a unanimous decision much to his delight.
Afterwards the new champion said “I knew I was going to win, I told everyone. I felt stronger as the fight went on, I knew I could do twelve rounds. His promoter Tommy Gilmour was ecstatic with his fighter’s performance in only his twelfth contest. “I’m so happy for him he’s a rough diamond that needs polished up”.
He couldn’t be more right but what a performance for someone so young and having only fought a dozen times. In a competitive British Featherweight division the new champion will certainly have a tough task in trying to keep a hold of his title but challengers be warned, this kid is only going to get better.