Home Boxing News Scotland’s Stephen Simmons Aims to Become World Champion

Scotland’s Stephen Simmons Aims to Become World Champion

 Ringnews24.com: What age did you start boxing and what inspired you to become a fighter?

I started boxing when I was 12 years old. I was forever fighting in the street and getting into trouble so I needed something to channel my aggression into and learn some discipline. Boxing taught me a big lesson and I’m forever grateful for getting into the sport.

Ringnews24.com: What was your amateur record and did you win anything as an amateur?

I had 115 fights; won 80 and 80 of them fights was internationals. I won five international gold medals, four silver and 13 bronze; one being Commonwealth Games bronze from Delhi 2010. I also competed in the Melbourne games in 2006, boxed in two world championships, reaching the last 16 both times, and I reached three Europeans, reaching the quarter finals in Liverpool in 2008

Ringnews24.com: How did you find the step up from amateur to professional boxer?

I found the step pretty easy as loads people said I had a professional style through my amateur career, but I stuck with the amateurs for so long to learn all there is to know at a high level.

Ringnews24.com: Is it tough to go full time and do you have to be more flexible to make a living from the sport?

It was at the start as I was working as a bouncer at weekends and the odd midweek shift, but since last September I’ve been more able to train full time because I came across the Herbalife business opportunity and it’s been really successful so far. So if there is anyone reading this interview and interested in earning some really good money then contact me on [email protected] would be a great opportunity for other pro boxers wanting to focus on the boxing full time.

Ringnews24.com: What has been the best piece of boxing advice you have received in your career?

Always keep your feet on the ground and never forget where you come from.

Ringnews24.com: You are currently 9-0, what are your thoughts on how your career is progressing so far?

It’s been pretty slow to be honest but obviously nothing I could do but stay focused and keep training hard. I’m over the moon with my last two fights, winning titles in both. So it’s on the up and I’m willing to fight anyone – a lot of chicken arses in the division ain’t willing to step up to the plate. You only learn and progress by stepping it up like I have shown in my last two fights.

Ringnews24.com: Boxrec has you ranked number seven in the UK behind Wadi Camacho, Tony Conquest, Matty Askin, Neil Dawson, Jon Lewis Dickinson and Ola Afolabi – would you like to fight any of these fighters in the near future?

I would fight anyone of these guys no problem. I sparred with Ola in Germany before his last outing against Huck and gave a great account of myself. Ola is world class and I believe I’m not far from that level.

Ringnews24.com:  You put everything on the line in only your ninth professional fight against undefeated David Graf. A defeat in your career at 29 years old could have been devastating; did this spur you to victory? And what did you make of your performance?

Being 29 at cruiserweight I don’t believe it’s that old – I’m getting more mature now and finding my man strength now. It was a great test for me which I came through in what was a great fight. Not many other British fighters are willing to do this and I showed I’m willing to put my 0 on the line against top opposition. I was delighted with the result and just listened to Danny Vaughan’s instructions in the corner and all the tactics we worked on for 2 weeks before the fight.

Ringnews24.com: What do you hope to achieve in the rest of your career and do you have a time scale to reach your goals?

I want to just keep winning titles and climb to the top. My aim is to be world champ and I don’t have a time scale – I know I can do it with hard work and dedication, listening to my coach Danny Vaughan. Aim for anything less then I say you’re not a man with an ambition and shouldn’t be in the game.

Ringnews24.com: Which current champion would be your preference for a world title shot, and what about your style makes you feel you can beat them?

If the world title opportunity came up I’d fight any one of them and I believe with my strength, heart and will to win, I would give any one of them a very hard fight.

Ringnews24.com: What is going on with your boxing career right now? Can you tell everyone when, where and who against that you will be fighting next?

I’m in Lanzarote for a hard training camp at the moment until the 9th of November with Danny Vaughan, Derry Mathews and Joe Selkirk. I’m fighting on the 14th December on the Matchroom bill in London and not sure yet who I will be fighting.

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