By Jake Donovan
In what is among both the best fights and biggest upsets this year in the UK boxing scene, John Simpson scored a unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Martin Lindsay in their 12-round bout Wednesday afternoon at King’s Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Scores were 116-113 across the board for their 12-round featherweight bout.
Simpson jumped out to a huge lead early on, leaving nothing to chance as the Scot appeared well aware of the hostile surroundings in facing the house fighter. Lindsay offered sporadic moments of success, but nothing sustained and never to the point where the threat of a rally ever surfaced.
The win is by far the most significant in Simpson’s eight year career. He heads home to Glasgow, Scotland with his record now improving to 22-7 (9KO).
Lindsay tastes defeat for the first time in his pro career. The Belfast native falls to 17-1 (6KO).
In an odd twist, Simpson received the opportunity to face Lindsay despite losing a sanctioned eliminator to Stephen Smith this past September.
Smith won their bout – which took place in Simpson’s hometown – by split decision, but suffered a hand injury which placed him on the shelf until at least next March and was forced to withdraw.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com. Follow Jake on Twitter at twitter.com/JakeNDaBox or submit questions/comments to JakeNDaBox@gmail.com.
