Boxing: Appleby has ‘huge future’ says Walsh

Paul APPLEBY may still be hurting from his defeat by defending Commonwealth super-featherweight champion Liam Walsh on Friday, but his conqueror today had praise for South Queensferry boxer.

Appleby suffered a tenth-round knockout at London’s York Hall, but victor Walsh admitted: “Appleby gave me all sorts of problems when he decked me in the seventh round. I was lucky that there were only about 20 seconds left until the bell because Paul really hurt me with that shot.

“He is easily the toughest opponent I’ve ever fought and I think he still has a huge future at championship level within boxing.”

Richard Maynard, spokesman for Appleby’s manager Frank Warren, said: “Even though Paul lost, that was his best performance as a pro, in my opinion. He gave Walsh a very hard fight and he will now have a rest but he will come again as he was very impressive in defeat.”