By Oli Smith
The British boxing season got kicked started with a bang at the Eston Sports Academy in Middlesbrough, as local boy Paul Truscott attempted to avenge the only loss of his career against Commonwealth Featherweight champion John Simpson. The fight was originally scheduled for the end of July, but was called off due to localized flooding; Paul Truscott would have to wait a little longer to exact revenge.
Truscott 13-1 (1KO) was unbeaten before meeting John Simpson this past January, having just one KO against his name, Truscott uses his slick style to best his opponents, whilst the relatively compact Simpson relies on his strength to impose his will.
The first round started at a modest pace, with both men feeling each other out, looking for weaknesses in the other man’s game plan. Simpson set his template for evening by swinging hooks in around Truscott’s guard, using his leverage to neutralize the lanky challenger. The pace picked up through the round as Truscott seemed to be settling in for the long haul and attempting to time the volley of shots being aimed at his body.
Through the early rounds in the fight, Truscott seemed to lack lateral movement, fighting in straight lines; Simpson was able to power through the oncoming shots. A nasty cut opened up over the right eye of Truscott late in the second round, due to a clash of heads. Sensing the seriousness of the situation Truscott began to dig in, dispensing with his game plan and trading with the tough Scot.
The frenetic pace continued through the third and fourth rounds, each man having success as the momentum ebbed and flowed between the two. Truscott enjoyed success in pressing the fight whenever the cut re-opened, whilst Simpson called upon his maturity to weather the storm before coming back with his own attack. At the end of the fourth round the doctor was called in to examine Paul Truscott, whose face – cut aside - was beginning to show signs of wear and tear. John Simpson started the fifth round knowing that the challenger was on borrowed time, and was determined to finish the fight of his own accord this time round. Truscott was in no mood to be steamrollered however, and fought on courageously.
By the sixth round, it looked as though John Simpson’s strength was beginning to prevail, as he imposed his will on Truscott. Any movement which Truscott came in to the ring with was beaten out of him over the course of the round. They were both fighting John Simpson’s fight, and as much as Paul Truscott’s heart was willing him on, he was unable to adapt properly to the onslaught and started to look a little like a fish out of water.
With both eyes now cut and blood flowing from his nose and mouth, Truscott had no choice but to engage Simpson at every opportunity, as the Champion cut down the escape routes and forced the taller man, lighter punching man into a slugfest. The seventh and eighth rounds didn’t let up, although victory was steadily slipping from Truscott’s grasp, he refused to give in. Whilst at times during the exchanges, Truscott – the taller man – was able to get Simpsons’ attention and momentarily turn the tide, he just didn’t have the power to gain the champions respect nor unalterably change the outcome of the fight. As the eighth round came to its bloody end, the result began looking like a foregone conclusion.
Truscott began the ninth round bleeding profusely from above both eyes, his nose and mouth, in a now or never push, he threw everything he had at Simpson, swarming him with shots and looked to turn the fight on its head. In the dying moments of the ninth, a picturesque uppercut from John Simpson sent Truscott stumbling towards the floor, although never making contact with the ring, nor placing his gloves down, the ref gave him a standing count for his troubles. Just as the momentum seemed to be swinging in the brave challenger’s direction, this set back seemed to take everything out of him. The round ended at a furious pace, both men hitting and get hit as the incredible fight headed towards the championship rounds.
During the break before the tenth round, Truscott’s corner suggested that it may be time to call a halt to the action. Showing true heart and a warriors spirit, Truscott refused to be stopped and chose to go out on his shield if needs be. Simpson stepped out for the tenth, his upper body caked in his opponent’s blood and sensing the end was near. He began to rain down shots on the all but beaten challenger. Pinning his man against the ropes, Simpson fired an unanswered volley of huge bombs; Truscott sagged as the referee jumped in. The official time was 1.34 in the tenth, as Truscott had nothing left to give; he fell disconsolately into his corner.
What had started as a grudge match to even the scores became an epic battle of attrition between two brave warriors. The victor, John Simpson, whose record rises to 20-6 (8KO’s), can go on to fight the British Champion Martin Lindsay, in a bout to clear up the domestic Featherweight division. Truscott is young enough, at 23, to rebuild his career after a pair of losses to the Commonwealth champion. He looks noticeably lanky at Featherweight, and whilst he may be able to make the weight comfortably, he may find a move four pounds north beneficial. Both men displayed heart and courage tonight, ultimately what proved the difference was outright punching power. After a summer hiatus, the British boxing scene is back with a bang.