Boxing: Injury boost for Simmons

LEITH VICTORIA heavyweight Steve Simmons has been given the go-ahead to box at the Commonwealth Federation games in Delhi next month after treatment on his injured right hand.

"A scan revealed bruising of the fifth metacarpal so British boxing team doctor Mike Lismore started to give me cortisone injections," said Simmons. "The improvement has been remarkable – so much so that I've been told that, as we don't box in Delhi until 12 March, I should have no problems provided I rest up the hand until then."

Meanwhile, one of Simmons' former Leith Victoria clubmates, lightweight John Thain, will make his professional debut as a Frank Warren-managed boxer on 12 March at Liverpool's Echo Arena.

• GLASGOW promoter Alex Morrison has hailed Edinburgh bantamweight Gareth Stemp's decision to join his pro stable.

He said: "I plan to put Gareth on the bill of my first show in Glasgow on 16 April. I'm confident that we can move him quickly up the pro ratings."