Stephen Smith pips John Simpson to British title
- Published
Smith started brightly in the contest in Liverpool
Stephen Smith beat John Simpson on points to become the new British featherweight champion after an exciting clash in Liverpool.
Smith had Scotland's Simpson in trouble in the first round after a big right hand but Simpson regained his composure in the middle rounds.
But after a thrilling 12 rounds the judges scored the fight 118-112, 115-114, 114-114 in Smith's favour.
"I wanted to beat the best and he is the best," said Smith.
Smith took Simpson's Commonwealth crown on a controversial points decision at Kelvin Hall in Glasgow last year.
And Smith added: "I believe I won both fights, I've beat him twice now and we move on."
But Simpson was angry with the decision, adding: "I won that fight and I won it in Scotland. Nothing against him but I won that fight.
"I won the two fights, there's no point in having a third fight, it's shocking."
Also on the bill, Liverpool heavyweight David Price came through his biggest test to date after a devastating first-round knockout of American Raphael Butler.