Paul Appleby Makes Comeback As A Light Welter

Former British featherweight champion Paul Appleby will return to action on the undercard of Ricky Burns’ WBO lightweight title defence against Raymundo Beltran at the SECC in Glasgow, live on Sky Sports on September 7.

Appleby, who became Scotland’s youngest ever British champion when he beat John Simpson in 2008, will contest six rounds at light welterweight.

The 26 year old has not fought since losing a rematch to Simpson in June 2012 and is already eying compatriot Willie Limond’s Commonwealth title, although a career in the lightweight division is also something Appleby is considering.

“Next week will be a six rounder to get me back into the swing of things,” said Appleby. “After this I will hopefully have one more fight and then hopefully go for titles.

“Any title will do. Willie Limond is the Commonwealth champion at light welterweight and that would be a good fight between two Scottish lads, so that would be maybe something I would go for. But I will wait and see what fights come along.

“[After the Simpson fight] I needed a little break and a little think about what I wanted to do. I decided to come back and move up one or two weights and that is what I have done and I feel a lot stronger and I am really happy to be fighting on this bill.

“I was struggling to make super-featherweight, I couldn’t make it comfortably so I was killing myself to make the weight. For this fight I am going to come back at light welterweight and I feel a lot better and then I will probably move back down to lightweight after that.

“I always knew I would come back but I needed a little bit of time off because I fell out of love with the sport a little bit. I have gone back to my old trainer Terry McCormack and I know I have done the right thing. I feel good again.

“I think the best is still to come from me. In the gym I have been working on things and I feel great, so I think the best is still to come.

“I will still be as exciting but my defence is a lot better now, so I won’t take any stupid punches but I will dish it out. I will be the same exciting fighter that I always was, but with better defence.

“It is amazing to be on this bill, I am really happy that I am coming back to a bill like this. I am exciting and I heard that Michael Buffer is going to announce the main event, and to speak with him will be amazing. Hopefully I can meet him and get a picture with him as well.”

Burns vs. Beltran tops a brilliant bill in Glasgow. Appleby is joined on the undercard by Olympic Gold medallist Luke Campbell, MBE, boxing for the second time as a pro, Jon Slowey, Stephen Simmons, Scotty Cardle, David Brophy and Michael Roberts.

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