Simmons given Beijing boost

Published on Monday 10 March 2008 09:36

LEITH Victoria's Olympic heavyweight hopeful, Steve Simmons, has received a huge boost as he bids to become the first ever Scottish amateur heavyweight boxer to represent Britain in the Olympics.

He has been told by British Olympic boxing team coach Terry Edwards that, if he reaches the final of the qualifying competition in Athens next month, he'll be guaranteed a place in the Beijing squad.

Simmons will spend this week in Paris at the French Boxing Academy, sparring with French and Italian international team boxers as part of his preparations for the make-or-break Athens tournament.

He said: "Terry Edwards has told me that all I have to do in Athens is reach the final of the tournament and I will definitely be on the plane for China, which is tremendous news.''

One man who thinks Simmons has a great chance of qualifying is his former Scottish amateur team colleague, unbeaten super-middleweight, Kenny Anderson.

Anderson said: "I sparred 20 rounds with Stevie Simmons in a gym at Newarthill and I've never seen him sharper or hit harder than he did during these sessions. I really believe that he can do it in Athens.''

&#149 FORMER Edinburgh based Scottish amateur middleweight champion, Craig McEwan, now an undefeated pro in Los Angeles, has confirmed he has been appointed chief sparring partner to Bernard Hopkins, ahead of the latter's April clash with Welsh world champion Joe Calazaghe.