John Simpson Not Retiring, Plans To Pursue Another Run

By Shaun Brown

I always find it a bit weird yet humbling when a fighter calls me instead of the other way around.

Former British and Commonwealth featherweight champion John Simpson did just that earlier this evening to confirm that he is not retiring from the sport.

A few weeks ago, this writer heard from a very reliable source that the 28-year-old Greenock hard man was retiring from the sport. My reaction was to call him instantly and leave a voicemail that contained the words “I hope it’s not true!” It can be hard to cover up your allegiances sometimes.

A fifth round defeat courtesy of a deadly body shot floored him in his attempt to win the Lonsdale belt once more against the ever improving Lee Selby back in December.

“I didn’t want to go out like that,” Simpson told BoxingScene.com

“I had thought about wrapping it in and I’d got back to work and was actually enjoying it. I was even going to go back to college but after having a think I’m getting back to the gym next week and I’m moving down to super bantamweight.”

The 122lb weight limit presents many a great night, potentially, for the Scot. Names like Scott Quigg, Rendall Munroe, Carl Frampton and Willie Casey are all fights that should have fans wetting their lips at. However, Simpson was adamant that one more defeat and that would be the final chapter in a successful yet gruelling career.

“Yeah one more and that’ll be me. If I’m gonna give it another go I’ve got to do it now otherwise the weight will just pile on. Like I said I don’t want to go out after my last fight and the way it ended. I’d never been stopped before, although I think I was allowed one!” joked Simpson.

Stay tuned to Boxing Scene next week for a more in depth interview with Simpson about his choice to retire, the Selby defeat, his career and the decision to put on the gloves once again.