Stephen Smith and Simpson clash in their Commonwealth bout in Glasgow

By Keir Murray

John Simpson has the prospect of a British title fight with Martin Lindsay to cheer him up after losing his Commonwealth belt to Stephen Smith.

Simpson is awaiting confirmation that he will challenge for the Belfast fighter's featherweight title.

Smith's recent split-decision win over Simpson in Glasgow was also an eliminator for a title shot at Lindsay, but Smith broke his hand in that bout.

"I hope to fight Lindsay. I want my old British belt back," said Simpson.

The experienced Greenock boxer, with a record of 21 wins and 7 defeats, held the British featherweight title for a year and a half before losing to South Queensferry's Paul Appleby in June 2008.

The loss to his fellow Scot was at Glasgow's Kelvin Hall, the same venue where he lost to Smith on the undercard of Ricky Burns' victorious fight against Roman Martinez on 4 September.

It's just a thought just now but I would consider going down to super-bantamweight Featherweight fighter John Simpson

Simpson, 27, was disgusted at the judges' decision in his third defence of his Commonwealth title.

"It was certainly a close fight but I don't agree with the decision," Simpson told BBC Scotland.

"I was sure I had won the fight. The Sky Sports stats showed I had the greater punching accuracy. I landed the most punches.

"I don't understand why they had two English judges and one Scottish judge. I think there should be one neutral official in a fight like that."

The Scottish judge at ringside, Victor Loughlin, scored the bout 116-114 in favour of Simpson, while the English judges, Phil Edwards and Ian John-Lewis, gave the fight to Smith - 114-116 and 112-116 respectively.

After the fight, a rather messy stop-start affair, it transpired that the gutsy 25-year-old Liverpudlian had fractured a bone in his left hand in the fourth round.

Unfortunately, this means the 2006 Commonwealth Games champion will be out of the ring for six months, scuppering his chance to add the British title to his collection.

For Simpson, assuming the contract for a fight with Lindsay can be completed and all is approved by the British Boxing Board of Control, he is ready to travel to Northern Ireland for the contest, probably at the end of November.

"It was great having the home fans shouting my name in Glasgow but I like fighting away from home too. The pressure is off a bit then," said Simpson.

"I feel in great shape after all the training I have done in recent weeks and the sparring I did with Ricky Burns."

Simpson feels confident he could fight at super-bantamweight

If things do not work out at featherweight, the father-of-two has the option of dropping a weight.

"It's just a thought just now but I would consider going down to super-bantamweight," Simpson explained.

"It's four pounds lighter than featherweight but I could make that weight without too much bother. I made the weight for my fight against Stephen Smith easily.

"I was obviously a bit down after last weekend but I know I have plenty to offer. I'm not wanting to get hurt but there is no need for me to hang up my gloves soon.

"If I was taking a hammering that would be different, but any fight I have lost has been close.

"The thought of a bout with Martin Lindsay is the perfect pick-me-up."

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