Simmons impresses on pro debut; Glasgow undercard
Stephen Simmons’ debut as a professional boxer at cruiserweight was everything he could have wanted. In stopping Nick Okoth in the second round he showed that the transition to the paid ranks was easier to make than he probably anticipated.
Kenny Pringle stepped in during the round to call it off, with Battersea’s Okoth on the receiving end of some heavy shots from the debutant. The decision surprised many seasoned watchers as Okoth may have been shipping some punishment, but was still throwing some leather himself.
Having known “Simmo” for some time, I must say how pleased I am for his adapting so easily to the professional game. He looked almost seasoned in this branch of boxing for a debutant, with a repertoire of body shots allied to fast jabs and on the rare occasions he had to use it, a tight defence.
The cruiserweight division isn’t exactly brimming with talent and it will be interesting to see how far and more importantly how fast the Edinburgh man goes.
Paul Appleby seems to have gone slightly awry in his professional career from the heights of British title to supporting on the undercard. He won on points against Youssef Al Hamidi over six rounds, but it was hardly inspiring stuff from the Edinburgh man. Hamidi has been in with the best of British in his career but hasn’t beaten any of them so this should have been a springboard for Appleby if he could’ve finished it early. He didn’t and that begs the question about the spark that he used to have in abundance.
Sid Razak of Halesowen was back up the M6 for the third time in three weeks. Either he likes it up here or he wants to clock up more miles on this road than an Eddie Stobart driver! In either event this bout with Craig Evans was never going to light up the night sky in Glasgow. The Welshman Evans won on points over four rounds.
Edinburgh’s Jon Thain racked up his fourth straight win with a repeat victory over Kevin McCauley, but it too was hardly earth-shattering. Thain was always in control.
Callum Johnston, Scotland’s team captain in Delhi has taken to and been taken by the Scots on the basis of his Granny’s nationality and it shows. The Boston in Lincolnshire boxer is a firm favourite up here and he probably tried too hard to put Jody Meikle, also from Lincolnshire, away but had to settle for a points win.
Was this a show not to be missed? Not really; it was pretty poor fare and Glasgow boxing fans deserve better.
