Paul Appleby v Exham Pickering RBR - British Featherweight Title

[superheavyrhun]

A very good evening to one and all, and with the festive season nearly upon us (despite TV ads suggesting the Christmas build-up starts in August), a wise man has come from the East....kind of. Well, I returned to the UK from Nepal anyway.

And as its friday night, and there is finally an internet connection in my home once again, I present the British RBR....with tonight's action headlined by newly-crowned Featherweight champion Paul Appleby facing off against the veteran Esham Pickering, moving up from Super Bantamweight after losing his British title to campaign at feather.

The tale of the tape as I read it:

Paul Appleby (12-0, 8KOs) claimed the title beating John Simpson in June, but it was narrow on all cards, as most fighters would get against the battling Simpson. Having not seen Appleby in action myself, I can't say too much about what to expect, but young, undefeated, and headlining a show in his native Scotland must be a big boost for him when he climbs into the ring. A quick check on Wikipedia shows he's the youngest ever British Featherweight Champion, being only 20 when he claimed the strap.

Esham Pickering (33-7, 13KOs) has been around the British scene for many a year now, but has struggled over more recent times as he's getting older, losing the lightning speed which was integral to his style, especially seen in his defeat to Sean Hughes, and led him into getting caught too often and losing his belt to Matthew Marsh in June. Hard to tell whether an easing of the weight stripping will help Pickering, or if he'll get a new lease of life, but as a 6-1 underdog, the bookies think the youngster has it.

[killersheep]

Any undercard action Rhun?

[superheavyrhun]

Any undercard action Rhun?

Nothing too sensational to talk about to be honest with you, only fight worth mentioning is former champ John Simpson against african John Gicharu, but Gicharu's two defeats have come in the UK and Ireland, and 10 wins in his homeland, so not exactly a renowned traveller.

As with the Friday Night Fights on Sky, undercard is pre-recorded and shown after the main event, so if it gets a bit tasty I may jump in on that undercard.

[killersheep]

Any undercard action Rhun?

Nothing too sensational to talk about to be honest with you, only fight worth mentioning is former champ John Simpson against african John Gicharu, but Gicharu's two defeats have come in the UK and Ireland, and 10 wins in his homeland, so not exactly a renowned traveller.

As with the Friday Night Fights on Sky, undercard is pre-recorded and shown after the main event, so if it gets a bit tasty I may jump in on that undercard.

Fair enough

[superheavyrhun]

Showtime in around 10 minutes or so, so maybe 20 minutes until the boxing itself starts.

[superheavyrhun]

As expected, Pickering coming in first getting the bile from the local crowd in Scotland, and Appleby getting a rousing reception. Pickering had a bit of a sweat onbut nothing to worry about, and Appleby very smiley and looking fairly relaxed about all this. Appleby does however face away from his opponent throughout the introduction.

[Tito BHB]

good luck to pickering!

He lives and trains near me in the next town from me in newark and his trainer carl greaves was a fighter at my gym.

Hope he does well, he has had a hard time in recent fights, i was there at the first sean hughes fight on the froch reid undercard in notts, nice to see he beat him in the rematch.