Eye-opening win for Simpson

Simpson: New champion

I'd love to give Paul a re-match, then we can get it on again. He was good enough to give me the chance so I'd definitely give him a re-match.

John Simpson
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Paul Truscott lost the Commonwealth featherweight title and his perfect record when an eye injury saw him lose to John Simpson.

The local boy suffered a first loss in front of his home fans in Middlesbrough when the doctor ordered the fight to be stopped in the eighth round.

An accidental clash of heads had left Truscott with a nasty cut, though it was the fact his eye was nearly swollen shut that forced the inspection.

The finish was an anti-climax for the pumped up crowd after the previous seven rounds had seen the two British fighters evenly matched.

Second chance

Afterwards Simpson, who lost the British belt to Paul Appleby last year, admitted he would be happy to give his opponent another chance.

"I thought I was just ahead but it was just unlucky the referee stopped it," the new champion told Sky Sports.

"I'd love to give Paul a re-match, then we can get it on again. He was good enough to give me the chance so I'd definitely give him a re-match."

The turning point had come in the seventh round when Simpson suddenly worked his way past his rival's steady jab to land some solid blows.

Having earlier worked the body, particularly in the third and fourth, he did some damage to the head, though the injuries to Truscott certainly helped his cause after the two clashed while attempting to trade shots.

Damage

In the end the damage proved too much, referee Howard Foster deciding the ringside doctor should make a decision over whether the bout should go on.

Having taken a good long look the medical expert waved it off, meaning it proved an unlucky 13th outing for Truscott, who was fighting just a stone's throw away from his home.

"Hopefully I'll get a rematch," he said. "The reason I picked John Simpson is he's the best out there and I want to be the best.

"He's got a tough head but he is a true champion. I got caught with the head but it's not his fault."