Jephcott is tickled pink after reaching national quarters

The Cleary’s ABC fighter had been laid low by a virus all week, but still had enough energy to claim a unanimous decision in the 54-57kg category.

Weighing in at just 55.5kg, the 23-year-old admitted he felt weak despite having had just a light bags session in the days preceding the fight.

Jephcott edged the first round before going on to dominate the third, forcing Simpson to take a standing count and coach Edwin Cleary said the resilience shown was typical of his charge.

“His fitness level is so high and he’s so determined,” said Cleary of the Pink Assassin.

“To get to 55.5kg from 120kg I wouldn’t have expected anything less.

“Over the summer, Jeffers was training two or three times a day to make 57 kg and he deserves everything he gets - he works so hard.

“He has had so many physical battles over the last two years and to train as well as having a grafting job is testament to his determination, hard work and dedication.

“This boxing game’s simple: you get what you put in.”

Jephcott now goes on to fight in the national quarter-finals on Saturday November 16 against an as yet unnamed opponent.

In a big week for Cleary’s ABC, 16-year-old prospect Danny ‘Kid Dynamite’ Quartermaine was taken up to the world-famous Wincobank Gym in Sheffield to see how the top professionals train under the guidance of the legendary Brendan Ingle MBE.

Quartermaine sparred several rounds with Cleary’s friend and former WBC, European, British and Commonwealth light-welterweight champion Junior Witter and rubbed shoulders with Kid Galahad and Kell Brooke, with the latter put through his paces by Ingle.

Quartermaine’s Cleary’s stablemate Wali Jan Khan boxed on the Sheffield club’s home show in a rematch against Majibur Ali.

The duo had fought out an epic battle at the Assembly last month and the second encounter was just as explosive, with a hostile crowd lapping up the action.

This time around it was Ali who got the nod from the judges, with the watching Cleary believing the decision was heavily influenced by the fervent home support.

“Both boys didn’t deserve to lose,” said Cleary.

“When these two warriors just click there’s no budging them and, just like the first fight, it was by far the best fight of the night.

“I believe Jan’s better guard and fitness won the fight but if you were there you’d understand why he didn’t.”

Ali and Khan will resume hostilities on the Cleary’s ABC show at The Assembly on Friday December 13.

The ten-bout card will start at 7.30pm, with Hull super-heavyweight Ryan Fuller supplementing a Cleary’s-dominated show.

Tickets, costing £11 are available from Edwin Cleary on 0772 3389774.