Boxing: Simmons ready to give Shimmel a second chance

Published on Thursday 29 October 2009 09:32

CAPITAL boxer Steve Simmons has revealed that he is to grant American amateur heavyweight champion Jordan Shimmel a quick return bout tomorrow in Des Moines, Iowa.

The one-time Leith Victoria heavyweight outpointed Shimmel in St Louis at the weekend, but after some rumblings from the American's camp that the 5-3 points decision was questionable, Simmons has agreed to a second bout – if only to prove a point.

"I was originally supposed to fight America's No.3 heavyweight in Iowa tomorrow but Shimmel's camp asked me instead to grant him a quick return as, given that I only beat him by two points, they were not convinced that I deserved to win," Simmons explained.

"While their claims that I was lucky to beat Shimmel are rubbish, I find the prospect of beating him a second time the best way to prove my superiority. Believe me, I mean to win even more convincingly tomorrow."

Meanwhile, Gilmerton welterweight Gary Young dismissed claims yesterday that his forthcoming vacant Scottish title bid against fellow Auld Reekie rival Gary McMillan in Glasgow on 15 November is a make-or-break fight for himself.

"I'm already pretty sharp and will be sharp enough to give McMillan and his team a real shock when we finally get it on. McMillan – not me – will be the underdog when we clash.''