In boxing we Truss!

Adam Smith looks back on a bloody and brutal curtain-raiser and ahead to more cracking action...

What better way to start the new season?

Last week, I waxed lyrical about the superb line-up of fights that we have this season on Sky. Well we couldn't have kicked off with a better one! What a brutal and bloody battle dished up between two down-to-earth, hard - working and honest professionals on our first Friday Fight Night. John Simpson and Paul Truscott literally picked up from where they left off, following their first encounter in January - when Truscott was stopped in the eighth round on account of a nasty eye injury. Both boxers were annoyed that the re-match was postponed after freak flooding around the Eston Sports Academy in July, but that is all part of the game. It's probable that Simpson's extra knowledge of dealing with the ups and downs helped him cope better with the delay, and also possible that Truscott may have peaked earlier in the summer. Certainly Simpson looked sharper and more confident backstage when I went to see both half-an-hour before the fight, and the Scotsman started far quicker than first time around. There was a serious job to do - Simpson looked like the man on a mission, and the more mature boxer. Unfortunately the cuts came back to haunt Truscott - and early on - as the Middlesbrough youngster picked up a bad gash to the same right eye in the second round. Worse followed soon afterwards as his left eye opened, and he was also bleeding through the nose for much of this toe-to-toe war. Excellent referee Victor Loughlin called the doctor in to inspect, and although Truscott was allowed to fight on, tactics went out of the window, as he fought fire with fire and tried to keep persuading the officials that he was fine. While he did fight on with every ounce of strength and pride, it seemed that defeat was unfortunately inevitable.

Dilemma

There was that odd feeling inside, which you sometimes get when calling a fight at ringside that the corner could have pulled Truscott out earlier, and, at 23, saved him for another day. The dilemma for Truscott's close-knit team of Michael Marsden and Darren Rhodes was the pencil-thin warrior's insistence to go on. In fact Truscott kept rallying with combinations, and on one occasion in the later rounds, the miraculous turn-around even looked remotely possible. Truscott had his moments, but his lack of power and seasoning led to his downfall. The Commonwealth featherweight clash reminded me at times of that domestic light-middleweight epic between Jamie Moore and Matthew Macklin. As in that classic small-hall fight, this ending was to come in the 10th round and the winner was the more rounded fighter. It was not to be for Truscott, but while the relentless and stronger Simpson rightly celebrated doing the double, one couldn't help thinking about the loser. Truscott's effort, against the flow of the fight, was immense - and it also reminded me of both Francis Jones (against Kevin Anderson) and Usman Ahmed's bravery (challenging Chris Edwards) in British title fights. But I think this was even more valiant and heroic because of Simpson's constant aggression, and Truscott's sheer refusal to wilt despite horrific cuts, with his face a constantly blooded mask. There were amazing shots of both fighters' reactions when the fight was stopped from our 'Hi-mo' camera. These typify our incredible sport - the ecstasy of triumph and the agony of defeat. Huge congratulations to Simpson, who will thrust his career forward; for Truscott he must re-build. Yet Trussy didn't hide away. He talked to us at ringside an hour or so after the devastating defeat - down, but not out. Interestingly he told me that he had loved the fight! Is he mad? He said that when he was a kid, he used to dream of being in a 'bloodbath' like that! Truscott (pictured) was a fine loser, praising Simpson. Boxing is so often about timing, and it's possible that the hugely likeable Trussy won the Commonwealth belt a touch before his time, and that he was pitched in too high too soon. He also admitted that he struggled to make the weight - which is often a sign when skin rips so quickly. But he's still young, but needs more strength and power from somewhere, and it will be hard for him. Yet Paul's dedication and determination will surely prevent him from falling wayward on the hard streets of the South Bank estate.

Disappointment

Boxing has saved Trussy from drugs and prison. Let's make sure that we give him all the support we can to ensure that he remains on the right road. That journey may re-commence up at super-featherweight, and another fighter to be engulfed in recent disappointment has, this week, made the decision to move up in weight.Junior Witter will box on, despite his poor showing against Devon Alexander. The former World light-welterweight champion is moving up seven pounds to welterweight for one last career surge. At 35, time is not on Junior's side, but we wish him well. As one of our top boxers continues, another says goodbye. We wish Sheffield's steely Clinton Woods a really happy retirement. Clinton was a pleasure to work with - at all times. What a nice guy, and what a gritty and ultimately successful fighter he was. In the early days, few thought he would even win a Central Area belt! Well not only did he do that, but Woods went on to take boxing by storm, collecting the British, Commonwealth, European and World titles. Clinton Woods was the IBF light-heavyweight champion for three years, was only ever stopped by Roy Jones Jr, and his excellent 15-year career ended with a wonderful record of 48 fights - 42 wins - 5 losses and 1 draw. Dennis Hobson deserves a special mention for his backing throughout, and I will remember Clinton (pictured) as one of our most worthy champions. However, the boxing city of Sheffield will surely fill the void quickly. Kell Brook is the flash, powerful young starlet, who has been demolishing the domestic welterweight contenders. On October 30, Brook meets the most experienced of the British pack - and arguably our number one - Chorley's highly capable all-rounder Michael Jennings. It's a super clash, but the ever confident Brook told me this week that he expects to do a better job on Jennings than Miguel Cotto did! The Puerto Rican great won in five rounds - so no pressure then for 'Special' Kell! The cheeky Sheffield fighter also wants to be at the Boxing Writer's dinner on Monday October 19 in London. He should be; I really hope he picks up the prestigious 'Young Boxer of the Year' award.

Dream

I saw Kell and Michael on something of a dream shoot for me! Being a lifelong Liverpool fan, I was delighted to travel to Anfield for the press conference to announce Brook-Jennings, and the major Merseyside meeting of Paul Smith and Tony Quigley for the British 12-stone title (see video). There's plenty of spice to this eagerly awaited Liverpool showdown, with both likeable lads being 'Reds', but also real rivals after harsh words in the build-up. We took both Paul and Tony (separately!) on terrific tours of Anfield as modern legend Jamie Carragher - a big boxing fan - offered his support. Paul, Tony (and I!) were getting photos everywhere - from the dressing room to the pitch. We even sat in the dugout! It was a magical day. I cannot wait to return to Liverpool - a traditional fight city - for the fantastic night of boxing at the Echo Arena on October 30. Paul Smith gave me an interesting prediction. He fancies John McDermott to upset the highly-touted young heavyweight Tyson Fury this week on Friday Fight Night. It's time to find out more. How good is Tyson Fury? Is he really THE future of British heavyweight boxing? Is he worthy of all the hype? How hard does he hit? Has he got a sturdy chin? What will the massive Fury be like under pressure? With a quickly amassed record of 7 fights and 7 knockout wins - everything has gone right so far, and Fury has been hitting the headlines.

Deeply-rooted

The name 'Tyson' attracts, and he has a great story behind him, being deeply-rooted in a fascinating travelling background. Both sides of Fury's family have produced bare-knuckle and professional fighters - led by his dad 'Gypsy' John - who took on all-comers in fields, barns, sites, wherever! Tyson Fury is the type of youngster British boxing needs to get excited about. This is, though, a risk, a calculated gamble and a big step up against a far more knowledgeable and experienced pro. McDermott was unlucky not to have been crowned British Heavyweight champion against Danny Williams last year. 'Big' John has always been something of an enigma. He has skills - and some speed - but his body often looks fleshy, and I think he gets too nervous before fights. I have followed John's whole career, and while I don't doubt he is tough physically, mentally I think his confidence is shaky. My gut feeling is that Fury will sniff this out quickly. The timing may also be right for him, after McDermott's two losses to Williams (who is certainly not the force of old). McDermott can surprise; he boxed really well to beat Scott Gammer and blew away Pele Reid. McDermott also enjoys home advantage in Essex and his promoter Frank Maloney, who paid plenty to win the purse bids, will be hoping to get one over on Fury's promoter Mick Hennessy! This match for the English Heavyweight title is a fascinating one. If McDermott gets past the halfway stage, things will get interesting, because Fury has never been beyond four rounds. He might not need to again though, and will be looking to make an emphatic statement on his Sky debut. Next week, I fly out with Jim Watt for the big one in Vegas. I'll be bringing you all the build-up inside the big green MGM metropolis on the mouthwatering showdown between Floyd Mayweather and Juan Manuel Marquez, which you can see live on Sky Sports in the early hours of Sunday, September 20.