John Simpson (born 26 July 1983) is a Scottish former professional boxer who competed from 2002 to 2015. He held the British featherweight title twice between 2006 and 2010 and the Commonwealth featherweight title from 2009 to 2010.

John Simpson
Born (1983-07-26) 26 July 1983 (age 41)
Greenock, Scotland
NationalityBritish
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Reach65 in (165 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights37
Wins26
Wins by KO11
Losses11

Professional career

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Simpson's professional boxing career began in September 2002, with a first-round knockout of Simon Chambers. Simpson suffered a setback when he lost his second fight on points against Lee Holmes. Simpson remained undefeated in his next ten fights, and a victory over Marc Callaghan led to him receiving a shot at the British featherweight title.

British title challenges

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On 5 November 2004, Simpson faced Dazzo Williams in a challenge for the British featherweight title. Simpson lost a very close points decision as referee Phil Edwards scored the bout 115–114 in favour of Williams. After a six-month lay off, Simpson returned to the ring to defeat former European lightweight title challenger Dariusz Snarski via a third-round knockout.

On 5 November 2005, exactly one-year after his last title challenge, Simpson fought Andy Morris for the vacant British featherweight title. Simpson was defeated by a unanimous decision with scores of 118–111, 117–111 and 118–110. Following this fight, Simpson lost to Stephen Foster Jr. via a unanimous points decision in a challenge for the WBU featherweight title.

On 9 December 2006, Simpson fought Andy Morris in his third challenge for the British featherweight title. Simpson claimed the title after stopping Morris in the 5th round. The fight was stopped after referee John Keane deemed that a cut over Morris' left eye was too severe to allow the fight to continue. Morris' trainer Bob Shannon has argued that his fighter should have been allowed to continue.

WBU title

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On 10 March 2007, Simpson lost a controversial points decision to Derry Mathews in a contest for the WBU featherweight title. Matthews was floored in the first round before Simpson was badly cut by an accidental headbutt. Mathews went on to be deducted points in the 6th and 9th rounds for hitting behind the head and holding. Despite the deductions and the knockdown, Mathews was awarded a wide points decision with scores of 118–112, 117–110 and 113–111. It was later announced that two of the ringside judges had failed to deduct the two points Mathews lost from their scorecards.

British title defences

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On 6 August 2007, Simpson defended his British featherweight title with a fifth-round knockout of Ryan Barrett.

On 7 September 2007, Simpson fought Andy Morris for a third time and defeated him via a seventh-round knockout to defend his British title. After the fight, Simpson said "I hope I can go on to bigger and better things now. Hopefully now I can go on to European and World titles, I started boxing to win a World title and that is my ambition".

On 6 June 2008, Simpson lost his British featherweight title to Paul Appleby in a close unanimous points decision.

On 28 November 2008, Simpson returned to the ring to defeat Kenyan John Gicharu on points over 8 rounds.

Commonwealth Champion

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On 16 January 2009, Simpson travelled to Middlesbrough to meet Paul Truscott for Truscott's Commonwealth featherweight Championship. The fight ended in victory for Simpson following a clash of heads which caused the fight to be stopped on cuts in the 8th round.[1] On 4 September 2009 Simpson made his first defence against the man he had beaten for the title. The fight once again took place in Middlesbrough and saw the Scotsman retain his title this time stopping Truscott in the 10th round with both fighters contesting a furiously paced bout.[2]

Notable bouts

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Result Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes
Win   Paul Truscott TKO 8 (12), 0.54 16 January 2009   Middlesbrough, England Won Commonwealth Featherweight title
Loss   Paul Appleby Decision (unanimous) 12 6 June 2008   Glasgow, Scotland Lost British Featherweight title.
Win   Andy Morris TKO 7 (12), 0.53 7 September 2007   London, England Defended British Feathweight title.
Win   Ryan Barrett KO 5 (12), 2.50 6 August 2007   London, England Defended British Feathweight title.
Loss   Derry Mathews Decision (unanimous) 12 10 March 2007   Liverpool, England Bout for Matthews' WBU Featherweight title.
Win   Andy Morris TKO 5 (12), 2.27 9 December 2006   London, England Won British Featherweight title.
Loss   Stephen Foster Jr. Decision (unanimous) 12 1 April 2006   London, England Bout for Foster's WBU Featherweight title.
Loss   Andy Morris Decision (unanimous) 12 5 November 2005   Glasgow, Scotland Bout for vacant British Featherweight title.
Loss   Dazzo Williams Decision 12 5 November 2004   Hereford, England Bout for Williams' British Featherweight title.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Simpson stops Truscott for title". BBC. 16 January 2009. Retrieved 17 January 2009.
  2. ^ BBC Sport | Simpson too strong for Truscott
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Regional boxing titles
Preceded by
Andy Morris
British featherweight champion
9 December 2006 – 6 June 2008
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commonwealth featherweight champion
16 January 2009 – 4 September 2010
Succeeded by
Preceded by British featherweight champion
15 December 2010 – 27 April 2011
Preceded by
Paul Appleby
Celtic Area super-featherweight champion
29 June 2012 – April 2013
Vacant
Title next held by
Anthony Cacace
Vacant
Title last held by
Sergio Thompson
WBC International Silver super-featherweight champion
11 May 2013 – October 2013
Vacant
Title next held by
Stephen Smith