Boxing: Simmons in a Delhi sweat

LEITH VICTORIA heavyweight Steve Simmons is facing a fitness battle ahead of the Commonwealth Federation games in New Delhi, India, in two weeks, writes BRIAN DONALD.

Simmons sustained a ligament injury to his right hand while outpointing Austrian Ara Muradjan by 7-0 in Hungary last week while boxing for Britain in the Bocskai Multi-Nations tournament.

Simmons said: "The hospital told me that I have damaged ligaments in my hand and to rest up and heal but this means that I'll have to sweat on making a full recovery by 27 February when I am supposed to fly out with the Scottish team to Delhi for the Commonwealth Federation games.

"It's a worry that I could have done without – especially after beating Muradjan so convincingly in the quarter-finals."