Imagine being engrossed in a great book, only to discover that the last chapter’s missing. A boxing equivalent would be watching January 2009’s Commonwealth featherweight title fight between John Simpson and Paul Truscott. With this all-action, finely balanced bout about to enter the crucial stage to determine the winner, the fight was waved off in round eight after accidental head clashes cut, and closed, Truscott’s right eye.
Watching the encounter again before penning this preview reaffirmed just what an entertaining and intriguing affair this fight was. It also highlighted how disappointing it was that the quality of the action didn’t get the finale it deserved. It’s terrific, then, that both boxers have readily agreed to the rematch, which takes place on the 4th September in, as per last time, the Eston Sports Academy in Middlesbrough.
With Middlesbrough recently being labelled in the national press as the worst place to live in the UK, the magnanimous Truscott is unquestionably one positive story emerging from this much-derided area. A proud, product of the town, Truscott will aim to secure a place for Middlesbrough on the current UK boxing map by attempting to regain the Commonwealth crown from, the man he lost the title to, Scotland’s John Simpson.
In a cast-iron case of ‘opposites attract’ during their first clash, the strengths and weaknesses inherent within both boxers combined to create an evenly matched, and superbly competitive, contest.
Truscott has good amateur pedigree, evident in the quality of his boxing. The Teesider is tall and elegant with a tight guard, and possesses the ability to throw hooks, and work combinations, off an accurate jab. Crucially, though, his record indicates he’s not a big puncher, with just one ‘inside the distance’ win on his record.
If Truscott’s lack of fire-power is the Ying, then Simpson’s robust chin is definitely the Yang. With a record showing that he’s never been stopped in six career losses, it’s clear that the Scot can absorb a shot. In addition to his resilience, Simpson is also undoubtedly a decent boxer, having been victorious in 19 contests, including having won and defended the British featherweight title.
The seam, then, running through the first contest was classy boxing from Truscott, matched by dogged determination from Simpson. Throughout the fight, Truscott displayed the superior boxing skills and greater punch variety but noticeably began to get drawn into the kind of fight that Simpson wanted, and needed, characterised by toe-to-toe exchanges.
Truscott was edging the fight with the better quality boxing but as the fight progressed it became evident that Simpson was able to walk through everything being thrown at him. Even, on those occasions when caught flush by Truscott it never seemed to trouble, or deter, the incessant Scot.
With Truscott appearing susceptible to Simpson’s impressive body work and overhand right, by the time the contest was halted during the eighth round, informed opinion, for example voiced by Sky TV analyst Glen McCrory, was that Simpson would have eventually caught up with Truscott and possibly stopped him.
On reflection, with 25 bouts under his belt, Simpson is the far more experienced of the two combatants and has also mixed in better company having fought the likes of Stephen Foster, Paul Appleby, and Derry Matthews. In the other corner, although undoubtedly a feat to be proud of, winning the title in just his 11th contest leaves a bit of an ‘elephant in the room’ for Truscott. Namely, did inexperience result in the man from Middlesbrough getting involved in the ‘wrong kind of fight’, leading to a first career loss?
Regarding the forthcoming rematch, then, what are the givens?
Equally, both boxers have experienced the disappointment of having the rematch postponed and rescheduled. Originally the contest was to have taken place mid-July but ‘rain stopped play’ after the venue was flooded (is this the first time an indoor boxing show has been cancelled due to rain – answers on a postcard?).
Expect both fighters to be in top shape. Truscott has previously sparred with John Murray to ready himself for Simpson, while his foe from Greenock knows that it could be a long way back if he loses. Truscott will also be fighting in his ‘back yard’, again, and will have the majority of support, this didn’t faze Simpson before though so don’t expect it to second time around.
On paper, Truscott looks to have the keys to victory. By using his superior boxing skills he needs to maintain distance between himself and Simpson and not get drawn into trading. With reports that in his recent warm up win, against Andrey Kostin, he’s sitting down more on his punches, the key question is, “does Truscott now have the snap in his punch to keep the marauding Simpson off him for 12 rounds?”
Another Teesider, Ridley Scott, famously directed the classic film ‘Bladerunner’ where Harrison Ford pursues and ‘retires’ mutant humanoids. Unsure that Truscott has the fire-power in his arsenal to keep Simpson off him for the duration of another enthralling contest, I envisage the man from Scotland eventually ‘hunting’ down and ‘retiring’ Truscott in the last quarter of the fight.
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