Simmons determined to banish painful memories when he battles Kennedy

Published on Thursday 1 May 2008 10:16

LEITH Victoria's former Olympic contender Steve Simmons will top the bill at the Academy Street-based club's annual Summer show at Edinburgh Masonic club on Sunday May 11 against Irish heavyweight prospect Niall Kennedy.

It will be Simmons' first appearance on a Vics club bill for nearly three years and club secretary Douglas Fraser said: "Steve Simmons will clash over four rounds with Kennedy, who has promised Steve a tough fight."

Tony Davids, boss the of the Gorey club in Wexford, where Kennedy is a member, added: "I trained and worked with former Irish WBO Supermiddleweight champion, Steve Collins for ten years when he was an amateur so I know a good prospect when I see one and Niall Kennedy is just that.

"He won't be in awe of Simmons' reputation at all, but will be coming to fight."

Simmons said: "I am determined that there will be no repeat of my last top-of-the bill performance at Edinburgh Masonic club three years ago, when I was knocked out by Durham opponent Terry Burton. I've come on a ton since then."

"I'm going down early next week to the British Olympic boxing team camp in Sheffield to spar with Olympic heavyweight entry Danny Price – so I'll be ready for Kennedy."

Meanwhile, Fraser revealed that former youth champion and international t lightweight Fergus Tennant will make his comeback-after a ring absence of 12 months on the Steve Simmons versus Niall Kennedy undercard