Paul Truscott v John Simpson RBR - Commonwealth Featherweight Title

Welcome to 2009's first installment of the British and European RBR, delivered by myself Superheavyrhun at Saddoboxing.com.

As a British member of the forum, I'm confident this year will have the best line-up for quite some time in terms of fights beamed straight into British living rooms, and straight onto the web via the RBR.

And whatever Cutmemick says, here comes the first installment, with an up-and-comer against a former champion, with all the makings of a real battle.

First up we have champion Paul Truscott, a 12-0 (1KO) prospect going into the toughest fight of his career. The 22-year-old from Middlesbrough will have the backing of a home town crowd, going into by far the biggest test he will have faced so far, as Scotsman Simpson comes to try and maintain his British-level reputation. Truscott's activity slowed in 2008, as he fought only three times, the second of which was to claim the Commonwealth title in a good points win over Osumanu Akaba, boxing fairly well and showing enough to claim the win over the inconsistent Ghanaian.

Challenger John Simpson (18-6, 6KOs) is the more experienced fighter of this pair, and has been in competitive matchups since his first challenge against Dazzo Williams for a British title in 2004. The boy has plenty of heart, and has more poke than his record suggests. Stoppage wins over Ryan Barrett and in a rematch over Andy Morris in '07 showed him at the peak of his powers, and this experience should stand him in good stead against the hotshot Truscott. The Scot has been down before, but will no doubt go in confident against the hometown youngster.

The undercard is still sketchy from boxrec, just 24-hours beforehand, but as usual, the best will be delivered via the rbr.

Peace folks, and best wishes for a good 2009.

I think Simpson's finest fight was probably his robbery loss to derry mathews..

and hey.. 19-5 as a record certainly seems alot better then 18-6.. especially when you put in the work but didnt get rewarded :-\

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Originally Posted by Tito BHB

I think Simpson's finest fight was probably his robbery loss to derry mathews..

and hey.. 19-5 as a record certainly seems alot better then 18-6.. especially when you put in the work but didnt get rewarded :-\

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As I recall I did that one also as an RBR, and I agree that Simpson got it right in the bumhole in terms of the scoring. Matthews was deducted two points and was also knocked down, however one judge had him at 118 and another had him at 117 on the cards. Quite frankly it was a farce, and I must admit there was a part of me that thought justice was served when Tsevenpureev did what he did later on.

Good to see you back Rhun... 8)

Top stuff.

Upperhand to Simpson here I think he's fought the better opposition of the 2 and I think it will show in the fight.

nice to see the return of the rd by rds ;)

Just as an addendum to my original post, the action gets underway 10pm UK time, so in around four hours from now. European time means it will be starting around 11pm, and for the US, here's a little something Killersheep taught me:

5pm EST
4pm CST
3pm MST
2pm PST
1pm AKST
12pm HST

Thanks Greg.... :p

Rhun your thoughts on the fight?

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Originally Posted by CutMeMick

Rhun your thoughts on the fight?

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I must admit, I really like John Simpson, he's got loads of heart and he'll keep going until he's got nothing left in the tank, but I think his lack of power might be the factor here tonight. Truscott's a good boxer, and will try and stay behind the jab, which was decent for him against Akaba and try and avoid getting into the kind of battles that Simpson's well known for. Truscott on points is how I've called it, but he'll be in with his toughest opponent so far, and now doubt it'll be the first time he'll have fought a come-forward fighter of Simpson's caliber.

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Originally Posted by superheavyrhun

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CutMeMick

Rhun your thoughts on the fight?

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I must admit, I really like John Simpson, he's got loads of heart and he'll keep going until he's got nothing left in the tank, but I think his lack of power might be the factor here tonight. Truscott's a good boxer, and will try and stay behind the jab, which was decent for him against Akaba and try and avoid getting into the kind of battles that Simpson's well known for. Truscott on points is how I've called it, but he'll be in with his toughest opponent so far, and now doubt it'll be the first time he'll have fought a come-forward fighter of Simpson's caliber.

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Cheers Rhun...

Okay folks....the beer is filled, the glasses are on and the first Friday Fight Night of the new year is about to start on Sky Sports 1. The action I'm sure has already been well under way in Middlesbrough, and the action will be under way shortly.

Here................we.....................go

Simpson is the first to walk out into the arena as the challenger, and is roundly booed, interspersed with a few cheers. His cornerman has a horrendous sparkly lining to his shirt though, the most noticable.

Truscott gets a great reception, those at ringside on their feet clapping him in. He's looking focussed. Truscott has the slight height and reach advantage, but Simpson with twice as many fights has the experience.

Next up, it's fight time.

Okay, LEEEEEEEEEEEEEETS GET REEEAAAAAAAADY TO RUUUUUUUUMBLE!!!! Sorry, my enthusiasm forthe new year got the best of me. ;) Anyhow, let's go!

Round 1:

Truscott has a punch at the corner pad before he alks out to his first defence. Simpson has the centre, with Truscott circling and landing two jabs. Body shot from Simpson. Truscott's jab again, but gets clipped with a right hook. Simpson with another right to the body. They swap jabs. A couple more body shots, but Truscott fires back and misses with a left hook. Simpson to the body once mroe. Truscott jabbing well and getting through, then a straight right. Good flurry again, and he moves out of disctance, and bobs away from three more simpson shots. Jabs and straights from Truscott, and Simpson having to duck low to get in and hit the body. Good left hook from Truscott again, and a right to the body. They swap right hooks. Good lively opening.

Truscott takes it, but both have a positive opening.
10-9

Round 2:

They swap jabs again, then a left hook from Truscott goes over simpson's head. Couple of hard body hooks from Simpson. Jab and right from Simpson, but Truscott lands a left to the body. Simpson with a jab catching Truscott on the way in. Two rights to the body from Truscott, but Simpson comes back with a left hook of his own. Overhand right from Simpson grazes Truscott who skates off to his right away from that. Couple of jabs from Truscott. Jab and overhand right from Truscott. Jab and right from Truscott, who gets out of range well. Right hook from Truscott. Couple of hard shots from Simpson to the body.

Tight round again. Simpson perhaps edging it, but fast competitive stuff here.
19-19

Round 3:

Both fall short with jabs early doors, till Truscott lands a good jab. Straight down the middle flurry from Truscott, piercing the guard with three nice shots. Two body shots from Truscott the best from a flurry in the corner. Simpson with some body shots, but gets caught with a straight right on the way in. Jab from Truscott, and a straight right down the middle. Great right again from Truscott, but two body shots from Simpson rattles Truscott. Left hook to the top of the head by Simpson. Truscott fighting more at range this round. Jab from truscott, but takes a body shot in return. Jab and straight right from Truscott. Right hook on the bell, and Truscott is down, but he was already slipping.

Truscott's round in my eyes, landing more, if not the power shots.
29-28

Round 4:

Jab and a left hook from Truscott. His straight right is efficient again. Simpson finds the side of the head with an overhand right, and they trade jabs again. Jab from Truscott, and Simpson misses twice with good movement. Truscott goes in and out, peppering Simoson with jabs. Big overhand right from Simpson, then a body shot and a right, and Truscott looking in a spot of bother. The right hand of Simpson lands again and again, and Truscott looks worried. Body shot from Truscott, then a jab right combo. Two more body shots, and then Simpson drops his guard and takes three quick jabs. Simpson with a body shot, but Truscott coming back with some hooks of his own. Jab from Simpons, but Truscott lands a one-two on the bell.

Truscott rattled, but he was the better man over the three minutes.
39-37

I've got it 3-1 Simpson

Round 1: 10-9 Truscott
Round 2: 10-9 Simpson
Round 3: 10-9 Simpson
Round 4: 10-9 Simpson

Simpson 39-37

I admit Truscott is outlanding Simpson, but Simpson is looking much more effective.

Round 5:

Close competitive one so far. As the shorter stockier guy, Simpson does seem to pack more punch. Truscott's jabs, but a right uppercut gets through from Simpson, good flurry coming back form Truscott, with a jab straight right from Truscott. Left from Simpson, but a straight right from Truscott, but takes a glancing left on the way out. Good work straight down the lines from Truscott, but he is getting caught. Body shot from Truscott, takes two back from Simpson, but Truscott back with jabs and a right hook. Good left hook from Truscott, and he is the more accurate. Simpson needs to be working harder if he wants to get the rounds against the hometown boy. They swap jabs, then Truscott bobs away from three Simpson shots. Right hand from Simpson, and they swap hooks. Jab, and two right hooks land simultaneously.

Great round again, and Truscott's chin seems to have firmed up.
49-46

Truscott round

3-2 Simpson

Round 6:

Truscott is nicking rounds for me, but it's not as wide as that in reality. They swap jabs, and an overhand right from Simpson lands. They swap jabs down the middle, then a Simpson body shot strays low. Truscott blocks a few jabs, then throws one of his own to the body. Uppercut from Simpson lands on the sternum. Tehy swap jabs, and Truscott's head rocked back a little. Truscott ducks a jab and lands a body shot. Jab-right form Simpson a good combo. Simpson swinging a little wild., but gets in two good body shots.Jab and hook from Truscott, but takes a right down the pipe. Truscott not as accurate and getting clipped more in this one.Jab and right from Truscott. Left hook, then away from Simpson. Good round once more, this one to Simpson though, who's upped it a little.

58-56

Truscott round 3-3

57 all

I have a feeling the scorecards are going to be all over the place, great matchaking here.

Round 7:

Truscott's right eye looks a bit bruised. Body shot from Simpson early on, but a left hook back from Truscott lands nice.Jab from Simpson lands, but the hard right misses. Good series of jabs from Truscott, who ducks a hard right hook once again. Nice left hook from Truscott, but an overhand right lands from Simpson, cutting Truscott. Truscott shipping body shots, and a jab. Truscott with a jab of his own, but a token. Jab from Truscott. They swap jabs, and a big left from Simpson. Simpson confident and composed in the centre ring. Another right from Simpson. Jabs from Truscott but Simpson walking through, and big body shots.

Simpson takes control. Nasty cut for Truscott.
67-66 Truscott.

First clear round in the fight IMO

Simpson 10-9

4-3 Simpson

67-66 Simpson.

Round 8:

Replays show it was a clash of heads causing the cut. Jabs from Simpson, but three or four jabs from Truscott. Left hook from Truscott, and the right eye of Truscott is closed with the swelling. Body shot from Simpson, but Truscott coming back with a flurry of his own. Timeout for a doc to have a look at the cut. Called off on the cut, and Simpson grabs another belt on a cut.

Truscott devastated in the corner, especially as it was a clash of heads. Bit gutted for the hometown boy, but since the cut it was inevitable that Simpson would have gone on to win. Tough break for Truscott, but Simpson will get a boost from this.

you've got to feel for truscott, pure shame like

its were shaping out to be a realy good final 3rd

Simpson was bossing the Fight.

Simpson said afterwards: "I'd love to give him a rematch, it was a shame that the referee stopped it when he did. I felt that I was just ahead on points, but it was a tight fight. I'd absolutely give him a rematch, he was good enough to give me a shot at the title and I'd have no problems giving him a rematch."

Truscott said: "I felt I was sloppy at times, but I was coming into the fight. I was starting to let my hands go, then I got caught with the head. It wasn't his fault, but fair play to him he's the champion."

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Originally Posted by superheavyrhun

Simpson said afterwards: "I'd love to give him a rematch, it was a shame that the referee stopped it when he did. I felt that I was just ahead on points, but it was a tight fight. I'd absolutely give him a rematch, he was good enough to give me a shot at the title and I'd have no problems giving him a rematch."

Truscott said: "I felt I was sloppy at times, but I was coming into the fight. I was starting to let my hands go, then I got caught with the head. It wasn't his fault, but fair play to him he's the champion."

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Gotta say Truscott's pulling on the head bugs me, he does that a lot.

Trusscott wasnt enjoying it

Chris "Hightower" Burton sporting a new haircut cruised to a 80-72 win over a Bulgarian Cruiserweight champion. He worked hard jabbed well and was well in control against a much smaller man.

great sportmanship from truscott, good on you mate. i was rooting for simpson and thought he was winning but paul showed that he can get hurt and still fight back and thats a great quality in any fighter. ironically hes very like simpson in that respect. good fight, cant wait for the rematch.

Good on 'ya Simpson job well done fella... :appl:

it was good to see some luck go simpsons way for a change, ive been a fan since the derry matthews fight. hes a warrior.