By Adam Fillingham:

Wednesday 27th April

Last night saw an old fashioned tare up between featherweights John Simpson (British champion) and Stephen Smith (Commonwealth champion). The fight was a close contest through the vast majority of the fight but Smith was the quickest to hit top gear. The home fighter took most of the early rounds with quick hands and decent power, wobbling the Scottish Simpson on a few occasions. After the forth round Simpson began to take charge and although the rounds were close I gave most to the British champ. His work on the inside (especially with uppercuts) should be noted and was one of the best close quarter displays I have witnessed in recent years. In round nine came Smith’s second wind and Smith took a few of the late rounds to keep the score cards close.

At the end of the fight I had the bout scored 114-116 to John Simpson and I believe I am in the minority that thought the Scotsman should have kept his belt. In the end the three men that matter scored the fight 114-114 a draw and 114-115 and 112-118 in favour of Stephen Smith. I can see an argument from the two judges scoring the draw and the close win to Smith, but 112-118!? Are you crazy? I cannot see where on earth those points could have come from.

So where next for both men? I suppose its either back to the drawing board for Simpson as he aims to recapture British and Commonwealth honours again in the near future, or will he retire due to so many disputed losses. A man’s motivation must whither. For Smith, he is now the British and Commonwealth champion after only twelve pro outings. His potential is huge and with Martin Lindsey, Nicholas Walters, Joe Murray, Ryan Walsh and many others to defend his belts against it could make for some cracking fights.

On the under card was Liverpool’s heavyweight sensation David Price who came in looking in fantastic shape as always may I note. Price took on heavy hitting, experienced American Raphael Butler. The fight was meant to be a big step up in class for Price but the massive heavyweight took Butler out with ease. Price knocked the American down with a peach of a right hand straight down the middle and after the referee surprisingly let the fight continue Price finished off in style at 1:49 in the round.

As I said, the fight would be easy. Maloney and Price would not risk fighting anyone of a high calibre at this point of his career and threaten high paydays in the future. Also Price has a British title eliminator against Big John McDermott soon so why would they risk it?

Next Weekend

Darren Barker will be making his long awaited return in the ring this Saturday against ex world title challenger, Italian Domenico Spada. This Is Barker’s first fight back in over a year and will be taking on a tough test for the vacant European crown. I hope Barker can get through this fight, but being realist I know that he will have some ring rust and with a tough operator like Spada (and an experienced one at that)it will be a hard night for the Barnet fighter.

I am confident that Barker can get the win but I see it being a very close unanimous decision or maybe even a split decision to rip the European belt away from Italy.

Prediction – Barker UD/SD

Also on the card little man Ashley Sexton will be making a quick fire return to the ring against the little known Mike Robinson. I’m sure Robinson has been picked for Sexton to make easy work of as he peruses another shot at the English title or even a British title shot. Watch this man, he looks to have a bright future.

Quick News

David Haye has shown the first signs of indicating that his original self imposed retirement date of October 31st isn’t set In stone. The WBA world champion stated that if he defeats Wladimir Klitschko then he may be lured into fighting his brother Vitali after the said date.

Some bookmakers that fans betted with in the unspectacular fight between Amir Khan and Paul McCloskey are in debate as to whether to pay betters for a “sixth round stoppage”. The fight was stopped in the sixth round but due to a cut above McCloskey’s eye not a KO or TKO. Bookmakers Hill and Bet365 refused to pay up for the stoppage unlike Ladbrokes that did.

Promoter Barry Hearn has shown keen interest in the “under exposed” Carl Froch. Last week Froch split with long term promoter Mick Hennessy and is now promoting himself but Hearn would like to give Froch “ the exposure he deserves”.

Darren Barker has told Matthew Macklin to stop ducking him and reschedule their highly anticipated bout. Barker takes on Domenico Spada this weekend for the vacant European middleweight title but Macklin will be fighting for the full WBA world title this June.

Former British welterweight champion Kell Brook (23-0) wants to set up a fight with newly crowned WBC world welterweight champion Victor Ortiz. Kell has been chasing Amir Khan for a while but seems to have changed his mind now to the American Ortiz.

Ryan Rhodes’ coach David Colwell has stated that he wants his fighter to just batter their next foe Saul Alvarez for twelve rounds or even stop him inside the distance. The Rhodes team are very confident of a victory in Mexico, but they “wont get reckless”

Manchester’s John Murray has vacated his EBU European lightweight title to peruse a fight with Kevin Mitchell. Murray had to vacate as his mandatory defence was meant to be with Gavin Rees but the contracts have been signed for a Mitchell/Murray bout. Rees will now take on Irish Andy Murray.

Former Commonwealth heavyweight champion Sam Sexton will be making a return on the Nathan Cleverly under card. His opponent is still not known.

And finally, did you know that “Chunky” James DeGale has reportedly snubbed a world title shot to face his old foe George Groves? If not, you do now.

Last week I asked you, the delightful readers of my weekly article, what you thought of an all Welsh showdown between Nathan Cleverly and Enzo Maccarinelli. You commented in your droves and unanimously thought that Cleverly would be a clear winner. I have to agree with you all there, I think the younger man would make light work of the blatantly now shot ex cruiserweight world champion. I think the only man that doesn’t know it yet is himself and really should quit before he gets seriously hurt.

This week I would like to put out a fight that has intrigued me for the last week. Gavin Rees, ex world champion against Irish Andy Murray (not the tennis player) who is currently undefeated. The fight is set to be for John Murray’s vacated lightweight European title. What do you think? Comment bellow.