By Jim Black

John Simpson will make a third defence of his Commonwealth title in June.

John Simpson displays no obvious signs of bitterness his career has not progressed in a manner befitting a boxer who has aspired to the level of British and Commonwealth featherweight champion.

Yet, were the 26-year-old from Greenock to launch an attack on the politics of the sport it would be wholly understandable, for Simpson is entitled to feel that he has been hard done to.

Simpson has not fought since last December when he stopped part-time Soap actor Stevie Bell on the undercard of Amir Khan's successful world light welterweight title defence against Dimitriy Salita.

The promise of a crack at British champion Martin Lindsay failed to materialise for unexplained reasons and it will be another six to eight months before the Ulsterman is forced to make a mandatory defence.

Instead, Simpson will make a third defence of his Commonwealth crown against undefeated Frank Warren fighter Stephen Smith at the end of June.

I prefer fighting away from home because I seem to be able to rise to the challenge, perhaps because there is less pressure when you are cast in the role of underdog and not expected to win John Simpson

Given that he is approaching the peak of his career, Simpson, who has won 21 of his 27 contests, fears that a lack of regular ring activity is killing his career.

Simpson, in fact, has had just three fights since the start of last year when he relieved Paul Truscott of the Commonwealth title by dint of a cut eye.

He subsequently made a successful defence against Truscott, from Middlesbrough, before also accounting for Bell.

But a lack of sporting opportunities, largely due to boxing politics and reluctance on the part of his promoter, Sports Network, to host shows in Scotland has left Simpson with a growing sense of frustration.

Not that Simpson has an aversion to going on the road, given that all but two of his 11 championship fights have taken place in England.

"To be honest, I prefer fighting away from home because I seem to be able to rise to the challenge, perhaps because there is less pressure when you are cast in the role of underdog and not expected to win," said Simpson.

"But I don't suppose I have had a lot of luck. I have felt at times that certain decisions have gone against me when I had done enough to win fights, most notably when I lost to Dazzo Williams and Paul Appleby.

"Now the fights are also few and far between. My manager Alex Morrison does his best to get me meaningful fights but none of the big promoters appears keen to support him.

"So, yes, I suppose I have become disillusioned because I believe I would develop into an even better fighter if I was more active.

"It's quite sad really because I feel that the inactivity is killing my career at a time when I should be making regular progress.

"Danny Lee has trained me for the past seven years but I also train at Billy Nelson's gym in Glasgow three days a week and I feel that I'm benefitting from working with Billy as well.

"But it isn't easy staying motivated and focussed when you are training for fights that aren't happening.

"I don't have a trade. Boxing is what I do for a living and the money only goes so far if you aren't getting a regular earner.

"Hopefully, I will eventually get a crack at a world title, but I had no option but to make a defence against Stephen Smith because I need the work.

"It's not the sort of risk fight most boxers at my stage would take, but I don't want to be taking on journeymen. I need to beat credible opponents if I'm to further my career."

Simpson, a relative latecomer to the sport at the age of 15 after having his competitive juices whetted by visions of Naseem Hamed in his prime, is giving increasing thought to the future beyond boxing.

The father of two sons by his partner, Joanna - five-year old Brandon and Ethan, who is four months - does not take his responsibilities lightly.

"I would like to have my own business, but it's difficult to build a nest egg when your savings are eaten up by normal living expenses," he said.

"There was a lot more happening in Scottish boxing when Scott Harrison and Alex Arthur were world champions but the big shows have dried up.

"But, hopefully, if Ricky Burns takes the WBO super-featherweight title from Roman Martinez doors will start opening again.

"Right now I would be happy just to be fighting six or eight rounders every couple of months to keep me ticking over.

"I enjoy the boxing and the training and I will probably miss it when I retire. But I won't miss the politics which ruin the sport for me."

Meanwhile, Simpson can hold his head high secure in the knowledge that he has already achieved more than any other Greenockian who has sought immortality through their fists.

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