Appleby not de-railed by fight postponement

Published on Friday 23 January 2009 08:59

THE coach of British featherweight champion Paul Appleby says the postponement of his latest title defence against Martin Lindsay was a shock, but will not affect his preparations.

Appleby, from South Queensferry, had just arrived in Cyprus with coach Steve McGuire for warm-weather training when he learned of the postponement, caused by an injury Lindsay picked up in training.

However, McGuire said: "The fact that the fight at Belfast's Ulster Hall has been switched from March to April is news to us but it won't alter our plans one bit to stay here in Limassol and train and spar hard in prep for Lindsay in April.

"Paul has just completed 1000 rounds of sparring with Glenrothes lightweight Stuart Green in Scotland and, for the next month he will work his socks off, but it doesn't really matter when he clashes with Lindsay because Paul and I are confident that he will win, no matter when they finally box."

Appleby has won all 13 of his pro bouts, with eight knock-outs and was outstanding in his last fight against Esham Pickering.