Appleby changes coach to train in Spain

Paul Appleby, the former British featherweight champion had been scheduled to box on the Ricky Burns undercard in March but was pulled from the bill on the basis that his injured hand may not have healed in time.

However, the South Queensferry boxer has changed trainer by parting company with Terry McCormack and has gone to the warmer climes of Andalusia with the help of Steve Williams who runs a successful gymnasium in Javea and also promotes both professional and amateur boxing in Southern Spain.

An X-ray organised by Williams in Spain has revealed that the damage to Appleby’s metacarpal is not as serious as first thought which may even mean his resurrection on to the Burns show.

Williams told BoxRec News, “Paul has made a good decision coming here - Glasgow-based lightweight Willie Limond and world super-middleweight champion Carl Froch are regular users of my gym here in Javea - and Appleby and I have agreed that he will base himself here for training between fights and I will coach and train him.''

This does not affect Appleby's management or promotion.

Having availed myself of Steve’s facilities while covering one of his shows in the bullring in Benidorm when Joe Calzaghe was his guest of honour, the facilities are superb and most certainly out of the glare of the Scottish goldfish bowl.