Boxing: Simmons to take plunge for success

Simmons, previously a heavyweight, will fly to Moscow for the European Amateur boxing championships on 4 June. And he reckons his best chance of glory is in the lower division of light-heavyweight.

He said: "I am a small heavyweight at top international level and I've found myself trying to battle huge eastern European guys, who have massive height, reach and weight advantages over me. That, in my opinion, is one of the reasons that my results in recent international competitions at heavyweight have been indifferent.

"In contrast, I am quite a big guy for a light-heavyweight, therefore I have decided to box at this new weight in Moscow. For a change I will probably enjoy height and reach advantages over most of my opponents.

"However, I have already been selected by Scotland to box at heavyweight in Delhi in the Commonwealth Games and I will step back up then but there is nothing to stop me going to Delhi as European light-heavyweight champion and trying to add a Commonwealth crown to my honours.

"In the meantime, I fly out to Bourget in France on 24 May for a six-day training camp to get ready for my attempt on the European title in Moscow.

Meanwhile, former WBO super-featherweight champion Alex Arthur has revealed that he and ex-British featherweight champ Paul Appleby have started serious sparring with each other at the Capital's Lochend gym.

Edinburgh fighter Arthur, who has moved up to lightweight, and Appleby, from South Queensferry, are preparing for bouts at Manchester's MEN Arena on 9 July. Arthur has been told by new promoter Ricky Hatton that he has an eight-round bout against a selected opponent.

Arthur said: "Paul and I have always enjoyed our sparring sessions together but, as we are both seeking to re-establish ourselves as title contenders, its important that we help each other to sharpen up by pushing each other in these tough sessions.''