Stephen Smith is Hoping To Win Over The Scottish Fans

By Terence Dooley

Stephen Smith hopes to win his first professional title in Scotland tomorrow night by beating reigning Commonwealth champion John Simpson at the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow on the undercard of the Roman Martinez-Ricky Burns WBO super-featherweight title fight.  The Simpson-Smith sizzler has been bubbling nicely, both camps have shown a lot of mutual respect during the build-up and the match-up has captured the imagination of both the trade and the general boxing fan.  Smith, who won two ABA titles, Commonwealth Gold and a European Bronze during his amateur career, was delighted when he heard about the contest and has no doubt in his mind that the fight has come at the right time.

“I was delighted, really, I didn't want to stick around boxing journeymen,” said Smith.  “The two men I  really wanted to box are Simpson and [British boss] Martin Lindsay [tomorrow's encounter also serves as a British title eliminator], the two main title holders at my weight, so I was delighted when Frank Warren came to me with Simpson.”

Indeed, 'Swifty' admires the Greenock-based boxer, believing that Simpson is one of the most entertaining fighters on the British circuit.  “I've always liked John,” revealed Smith, “he is always exciting to watch and always give value for money, people don't mind paying to watch him.  His style excites and we should mix well for a good fight.”

Simpson has scalped Paul Truscott and Andy Morris in recent years, defeating 'Trussy' twice to win and then retain the title, he handed Morris his first defeat in 2006, avenging a 2005 loss to Morris in the process, and then repeated the task by KO the next year, he also pushed the then-undefeated Derry Matthews close in a WBU title fight.  John 21-6 (9) is a formidable featherweight, clearly.  However, home advantage worked against Simpson when he lost to Andy Morris for the British belt, the Scot boxed badly in Glasgow that night and was outmanoeuvred by the Mancunian.

“I want to do something similar,” admitted Smith when discussing the first Simpson-Morris bout.  “Morris did a job on in him the first one and I think the two losses were down to the weight making situation for Morris, I think that just shows that if you struggle yourself or don't prepare properly then you'll come unstuck.  I've dedicated myself one hundred percent and it will pay off on the night.  If you cut corners you will struggle so I know that I've got to perform on the night.”

Simpson's right hand is a nagging, chopping weapon, he can also get rough and tough when need be, his fight with Matthews was a foul filled affair, Simpson floored Derry early before losing by a narrow margin.  Smith, 10-0 (6), knows that things could get hard come Saturday night, he believes that he can weather the best, and worst, of what Simpson can offer.

“If it gets nasty then I'll go into the trenches if need be.  I think it will come down to boxing ability and fitness, I couldn't get any fitter for this one but if it comes down to a fight then I don't mind having a fight.  At the end of the day, my boxing ability will tell and I'll be better in every department,” declared the 25-year-old.

“I am a big boxing fan and I am excited to be involved with this fight.  There is a world title fight on the bill and everyone is talking about my fight with John Simpson.  This fight has caught on and it is the one everyone is looking forward to.”

Smith posts on a few Internet forums and has enjoyed some good natured exchanges with Billy Nelson, the trainer of Simpson.  “He's a nice fella,” smiled Smith when reminded of their virtual chats.  “I saw them both today (Wednesday) at the press conference and wouldn't expect anything less than class from Billy and John, the same goes for me and my trainer, Georgie Vaughan, because we aren’t saying anything other than we both know that we are in for a fight.”

Simpson boxed Frankie Gavin twice in the unpaid ranks, Gavin recently told me that Smith has one of the best boxing brains in the business and was confident that the Scouser would win the first of many titles come Saturday. 

“Of course,” insisted Smith when asked if Gavin's endorsement tells its own story.  “Frankie Gavin was a World Amateur Champion, he's been around at a good level and knows how good I am.  For him to say that about my boxing game speaks for itself.  I will use it on Saturday night and will fight with Simpson if I have to as well.”

Simpson's fans point to the Scot's tough nature, his undervalued boxing ability and, above all, his experience, he has been twelve rounds five times; Smith knows that his opponent has a solid chin and is prepared to go the championship distance for the first time in his career.

He said: “I'm ready for the twelve rounds.  I felt fine doing eight rounds [against Gavin Reid in October] and am confident that we can go twelve rounds at a better pace than Simpson.  I'm confident that I'll be world champion come Saturday night.”

The win over Reid saw Smith make extensive use of both hands, he hammered home left hooks to the body before switching his attack when Gavin put all his efforts into halting the left, it was an impressive performance yet it was partially built upon grit and determination, Smith pulled a back muscle during his warm-up and had to battle through the pain barrier in order to take the win.

“I pulled my back in the dressing room before that fight,” he revealed.  “I got a spasm and pulled a muscle, the doctor said you have triangular muscles at the bottom of your back and my left one was pulled.  I don't know how it came about but I went out and fought.  It didn't really bother me, there was a bit of pain when I threw certain shots but I didn't want to talk about it too much after the fight.”

So, Smith should be able to match Simpson in the physical toughness stakes, bad news for the Scottish supporters, who expect the visitor to box well early doors only to be ground down during the mid-to-late rounds.  Stephen, though, believes that he will surprise the home crowd on Saturday night, winning them over in the process with his boxing ability and toughness.

“We've got a coach load of fans coming up from Liverpool for the fight.  I expect to get booed into the ring but the Scottish fans are a knowledgeable crowd and Glasgow is a knowledgeable city so I expect that I'll do a job on Simpson and will be clapped out off the ring,” promised Smith, who is one part of a professional boxing family, younger brother Liam boxes in a six-rounder on the bill, older brother Paul is the British super-middleweight champion, Stephen believes that the Smith family will build an impressive legacy in coming years.

“Of course,” he said when asked if he wants to net another belt for the family trophy cabinet, “not many boxing families have two champions at the same time so it is a testament to the family, really, and I hope I can carry on.  I am sure Paul can go to the top, definitely, he can go on and show that he's above domestic level.”

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