Paul Appleby was on the brink of fighting Ricky Burns for the WBO super featherweight title but a defeat to Ghana’s Joseph Laryea ended his World title dreams. Burns went on to fight Appleby’s conquer in his next fight, a missed opportunity for Appleby.
After the defeat by Laryea, Appleby took on journeyman Youssef Al Hamidi which he went onto win on points over six-rounds.
Next on the cards for Appleby was undefeated Liam Walsh. The fight was a tremendous battle which saw both fighters hit the canvas. Appleby retired in the tenth-round and Liam Walsh prevailed as the winner.
Six months later Appleby was facing another undefeated fighter in the way of Stephen Ormond, the fight was scheduled for ten rounds. Appleby won the fight with scorecards reading 96-94, 96-94 and 96-95.
In 2008, underdog Appleby snatched the belt away from British Champion and fellow Scot John Simpson. The Rematch took place on June 29th in 2012. John Simpson dominated the fight and produced a TKO in round six to leave Appleby with his fourth career loss.
Where has Paul Appleby gone? He has been inactive for fourteen months. Appleby has been in a lot of wars which surely takes its toll, maybe the rest will do him the world of good. But time is ticking and fourteen months is a very long time to be away from the sport.
Does Appleby have a future in boxing? Of course he has, he is Scotland’s youngest ever British champion, former Celtic champion and winner of the BBBofC’s fight of the year 2012. Appleby still has a lot to offer to the sport, but I believe if he wants to have a career in the sport he has to box smart and stop being dragged into wars. There are also questions over his stamina which is something he needs to improve on when he returns.
