FORMER British and Commonwealth featherweight champion John Simpson will box on despite suffering the first stoppage of his 31-fight career.

Referee Marcus McDonnell refused to allow the Greenock fighter to continue after he was put down by the power of Welshman Lee Selby's body shot in the fifth round of their title bout last week in London.

But Simpson, 28, will campaign at super-bantamweight when he returns to the ring on March 10 next year, on the undercard of Interim World Boxing Organisation lightweight champion Ricky Burns' first defence, at Braehead Arena.

Simpson must also convince manager Alex Morrison that he still has the desire for a scrap. Otherwise, the veteran promoter will cease to look after his interests.

Simpson will resume training today in an effort to ensure he stays clear of any temptation to over-indulge during the festive period.

Morrison said: "John will be brought back in a 10 or 12-round fight for a British Masters or Intercontinental title.

"It had been his intention to drop to super-bantamweight prior to him being offered the chance to challenge Martin Lindsay for his British title 12 months ago because he feels he has constantly been disadvantaged fighting opponents taller and stronger than him.

"When you look at how tiny he is for a featherweight, you realise that he has always been battling the odds and having a big heart is not enough."