Boxing: Simmons piles on the muscle as he targets Dolan and lifting of cruiserweight crown

Unbeaten Edinburgh pro cruiserweight Steve Simmons has put on a stone of pure muscle as he bids to avenge two amateur ring defeats by Englishman David Dolan.

The former Leith Victoria Scottish amateur heavyweight champion has been undergoing gruelling sessions at coach Billy Nelson's Stepps gym and Dolan, who he regards as the biggest obstacle in his bid to claim the British cruiserweight crown before the year is out, is firmly in his sights.

"I am currently undefeated after two bouts and rated number eleven in the British title ratings but my aim is to win the British title by December 2011 by winning five straight fights between September - when I will next be in ring action - and December.

"I've looked at the other rated British cruiserweights and the only one who could possibly derail my title plans is Dolan, who outpointed me in the 2005 Commonwelth Federation Games in Glasgow's Kelvin Hall, and again controversially when I thought that I had clearly won in 2007.

"That's why I've just completed a muscle and strength building programme that allows me to remain as a cruiserweight despite adding a stone to my fighting weight. In the amateurs I didn't have the power to stop Dolan but, while I'm not kidding myself it will be easy, I also believe that with four more successful fights under my belt I'll be ready for him or any other cruiser contender."

Meanwhile, Lochend club coach Terry McCormack announced yesterday that, on his advice, classy southpaw and Scottish senior 60kg champion Josh Taylor will remain a lightweight until after the World Amateur championships in September.

"Josh is certainly growing but he can still make lightweight comfortably so I've told him to postpone the step up to light-welterweight until at least after the World Amateur championships at Baku, Azerbaijan."