Commonwealth featherweight champion John Simpson is confident that experience will reap its reward against Stephen Smith this weekend.
Greenock fighter to let fists do the talking in 11th title fight
Commonwealth featherweight champion John Simpson is confident that experience will reap its reward when he puts his title on the line against Stephen Smith this weekend.
The pair meet in Glasgow's Kelvin Hall on Saturday night in a fight that will also serve as an eliminator for the right to challenge Martin Lindsay for the British title.
Liverpool's Smith has already claimed he will end up the one fighting for the Lonsdale belt but Simpson, who lost the British title to Paul Appleby, dismissed his opponent's words as bravado.
"I would expect that kind of talk," he said. "I'm kind of quiet and I don't really like to shoot my mouth off. But I'm confident that I'm definitely going to win.
"I like to let my fists do the talking and hopefully this fight will lead onto bigger and better things."
The fight will be Simpson's 11th championship fight and Smith's first, with the former stating: "I feel I've got the edge in terms of experience.
"I've got more experience but he is a good boy, he's got a good amateur pedigree and he will bring that into the ring with him on Saturday night - but I still feel confident."
No problems
Simpson added his belief that he is in the best shape of his career, saying: "I'm feeling good ahead of this fight.
"I've had a good preparation so there are no problems.
"I'll be fit - I'm the fittest I've ever been so I'm looking forward to it.
"I'm definitely back to my best. I'm at my peak just now. I've been training well and everything has gone to plan so I'm feeling confident."
Although Simpson will fight in front of a Scottish crowd, he insisted he would be able to beat Smith anywhere.
He said: "It helps having a home crowd behind me and that will spur me on.
"But I'm also good fighting away, it doesn't really matter to me."
