[March 11, 2006]

Boxing: SLAPPING OUT IS BETTER THAN SLOPPING OUT

(Daily Record Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)STEVIE SIMMONS is a bear of bloke. But whether he's a grizzly or a koala depends on where you meet him.

The Edinburgh heavyweight was grinning rather than growling last night I as he discussed representing Scotland " at the Commonwealth Games.

The trip to Melbourne represents a dream come true for the 21-year-old from Sighthill. If proof were needed that sport can change lives, a conversation with Simmons provides the evidence.

It might seem like a cliche but Simmons - an extrovert big lad who wears flamboyant hairstyles - was saved from spending some of his time in Saughton by taking up boxing.

He said: "I was always getting into trouble on the streets so the best thing for me was to get into boxing because I was always handy with my fists.

"It's been the best thing for me, it's helped me channel my aggression and it has taught me discipline.

"Boxing has saved me from a lot of trouble, from getting into the things that a lot of the rest are getting into.

"There are a lot of guys I know out there fighting, drinking and getting up to no good. I've got more discipline.

"I don't have a naturally short fuse anyway, just in the ring. Only when somebody hits me!

"I had a neighbour who used to box. He was the first person to take me to the local club and my uncle - Kenny Simmons - also used to box for Scotland.

"He took me under his wing at the Leith Victoria Gym. He was good, won a few internationals but had to stop when he took pneumonia. He never made it to the Commonwealths and never got to turn pro so I'm hoping to do it all for him."

Simmons brims with self-confidence - show me a boxer who doesn't and I'll show you a first-round loser - and he believes he can go all the way in the heavyweight division by floating like a butterfly and biting like a bulldog when required.

He added: "My idol has always been Mike Tyson, also Muhammad Ali obviously, and I try to mix and match their styles.

"Sometimes you need to change your style and move like Ali, sometimes you need to just go for it like Tyson. That's the beauty of boxing.

"I didn't get to see Tyson when he was at Hampden but I was really pleased to meet Frank Bruno last year. He was really nice and gave me a few tips.

"Now the Games are nearly here and I can't wait. It's going to be unbelievable to be representing Scotland in Melbourne.

"I've represented Scotland at a lot of tournaments but this feels a lot bigger.

"I'm very confident. I beat the British No. 1, a Welsh guy called Kevin Evans, in Finland last year so I feel pretty good because the other Brits are usually the toughest opponents.

"I fancy my chances, even though there will be hard fights with guys from Canada and Australia. You never know who is going to come out of the African countries, either."

Simmons is now full time, funded by the Scottish Institute of Sport. But he plans on going professional after the 2008 Olympics.

He said: "After this my next aim is to box in the Olympics so I need to qualify for them. After that the professional game beckons but, first of all, I have to look towards Beijing.

"I will definitely go pro after then, if I make it. I'm probably a cruiserweight in the pros just now but I'll look to put on size over the next two years.

"When I met Frank Bruno I was reminded just how big the professional heavyweights are - he's massive - so I've got a few stone to put on yet.

"I'm 6ft 3ins and my natural weight is about 14 stones so I'm a wee bit away from getting in the ring with the really big boys.

"I'm only 21 and I'll get bigger. My mum's food bills are huge."

The only thing left to discuss was THAT hairstyle. Thankfully, he laughed.

He said: "I change my hair a lot but this is going to be the one for the Games. I do it all the time, I have my own style - it's better to have your own style than to copy someone else.

"I've got a Saltire and I'm taking some dye out with me to Melbourne so I can touch it up."

Look out for Stevie Simmons in Melbourne. Actually, you are hardly likely to miss him.

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