By Terence Dooley

John Simpson retained his Commonwealth featherweight title at Eston Sports Academy, Middlesborough earlier tonight after a thrilling battle with Paul Truscott.  Simpson defeated Truscott in eight rounds back in January to take the youngster’s belt.  Paul was stopped due to a terrible swelling by his right eye in that one; this time, though, Simpson left little doubt, hammering his game foe to defeat in ten rounds.

Truscott, 23, started brightly, popping off with the jab during the early going.  Simpson kept to his game plan – sinking in body shots as the fight progressed. 

A cut to the right eye of Truscott hindered the Middlesborough man’s work; Simpson grew in stature as Truscott’s blood flowed.  Paul’s left eye was also a mess by the middle rounds; his nose joined the party shortly afterwards.  Truscott’s face looked like the Rorschach test.

Referee Victor Loughlin issued a standing count in round nine; Simpson had landed a solid left hook, yet Truscott’s gloves did not appear to touch the canvas.  Still, the fight was draining out off Paul – who had given it his all throughout. 

Simpson trapped Truscott along the ropes during the tenth round.  Although not landing cleanly, John forced Loughlin to make a decision, and the referee made the right one, saving Paul from himself.

Truscott was left distraught, again.  Simpson paid tribute to his opponent and then called out former British title holder Paul Appleby - who relieved Simpson of the Lonsdale belt last year.

The jubilant Scot told the Sky crew that: “I'm pretty satisfied - I take my hat off to Paul, he's a really, really tough boy.  A nice boxer as well so he's not just tough.  I'm more mature and older and I think that showed tonight.”

Simpson is still only 26; he is battled-hardened and holds a deceptive 19-6 (7) record.  Truscott can come again, but he lacks the pop needed to keep men like Simpson at bay, you get the distinct sense that things will always be tough for Paul, he falls to 13-2 (2).

Please send news and views to neckodeemus@hotmail.co.uk