Auld foes Askin for title strife
he has set sights on a place in the Scotland schoolboys squad for the Euro Championships. His dreams don’t stop there though. Dad Richard Welsh said: “He said he wants to go to the Commonwealth Games, the Olympics and then turn pro – to win a world title.” Maybe that’s why Hollywood is holding off. The opening act would be a tough watch, an 11-year-old with energy to burn receiving the news every family dreads. Richard said: “It was serious. Everyone was scared but when Lee was told his cancer was treatable he said he would go 10 rounds and win by knockout.” The boxing world got on board with Frampton taking him under his wing and Joshua posting a video message while Taylor had him involved at the Hydro last month.
Lee said: “Carl just told me to keep going – that’s what I’ve done.
“Being told I had cancer was a big shock. I found a lump in my side and people thought it was appendicitis but it didn’t go away.
“The first question I asked was ‘Am I going to die?’ They couldn’t say for sure but thought there was a good success rate, particularly as it had been found early. I said I’d just need to win by knockout!”
He did just that, returning to the ring at Jonesy’s Boxing Club home show in December just 10 months after being diagnosed and raising over £5000 for Les Hoey Dreammaker Foundation.
He said: “I’m not afraid of anyone now, so my motto has become ‘Fear no foe’. It doesn’t get any worse than cancer – that’s been my biggest opponent by far.” STEPHEN SIMMONS insists he won’t back down in English boxing’s bear pit ahead of his Auld Enemy clash with Matty Askin.
The Edinburgh ace can make history by becoming the first Scot to land the British cruiserweight title at the notoriously hostile York Hall in London on Saturday.
But Simmons is relishing going into the Three Lions’ den and is convinced he will be the one coming back over the border with the bounty.
The 33-year-old said: “Becoming the first Scotsman to win the British cruiserweight crown would be great. The historical aspect means a lot to me.
“Being a Scotsman, there’s nothing better than beating an Englishman and to do so down there in his own back yard is even more special.
“It should be a mad atmosphere. I have lots of people coming down with their flags and they’ll be making themselves heard.”
Reigning IBF euro champ Simmons has lost just twice in 20 fights – but the controversial split-decision loss to Noel Gevor that ended his world title dream still rankles with him.
However, the man nicknamed Monster has put thoughts of a rematch on the backburner as he won’t look past Askin.
He said: “I believe I was robbed. I’ve not made a decision beyond this fight.”