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Simpson wary of Bell threat

But Commonwealth champ confident he has matured enough to win

By Elliot Ball Last updated: 19th November 2009

Simpson: Claims to be in shape of his life

This will be one of the toughest fights of my career

John Simpson
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John Simpson admits he faces one of the toughest fights of his career when he takes on Stephen Bell but the Commonwealth featherweight champion insists he is in the best shape of his career.

Simpson squares off against Bell as part of the undercard of Amir Khan's WBA light-welterweight defence against Dmitriy Salita at the MetroRadio Arena on December 5 and it poses to be a tight affair in the north east.

The 26-year-old champion makes his second defence of the title he claimed in January after overcoming Paul Truscott in a September rematch.

But the Scot faces a challenger who has just suffered one defeat in his career and the Greenock-born fighter knows he is in for a rough ride, but is adamant he has matured enough as a boxer to come out the victor.

Experience

"I've been a pro now for seven or eight years," said Simpson, who revealed that he hopes to have a crack at reclaiming the British title currently held by countryman Paul Appleby.

"It's taken me a bit of time to be doing things properly and find out which ways to do things, like my diet and training. So it's things coming together.

"I'm still trained by Danny Lee but Billy Nelson is training me as well. So I just feel at this stage of my career everything is coming together.

"I am taking this fight as a really hard one. He has got a good amateur pedigree and he's got a good record.

"This will be one of the toughest fights of my career. He is quite tall so he is going to try and make it awkward for me but I am in great shape.

"I'll just be keeping the pressure on and taking the fight to Stephen. Hopefully I'll go on to fight for bigger and better things. I'd like my British title back."

Colourful

Standing in the way of Simpson's British title aspirations is Bell, a boxer who has enjoyed a colourful background as a model and actor.

After making his film debut as a gay bare-knuckle fighter in 'Like It Is', the 34-year-old from Ashton-Under-Lyne has gone on to appear in television programmes Shameless, Hollyoaks and Emmerdale.

However, Bell's focus is firmly on the forthcoming bout for the Commonwealth title and the veteran is keen to outlast his opponent.

He said: "I'm a fan of John Simpson. I've watched his career over the past few years when he was unlucky not to pick up the British title.

"I think he has got a great style and has been in some great battles over the past few years.

"But I don't think he has ever fought anyone with the brains and the skills I've got. This is my time to prove it and I've got 12 rounds to prove it."