IT takes some old-fashioned courage to climb off the floor four times and win a title.

Coventry car worker Neil Simpson did it, and no wonder Boxing News headlined him 'Miracle Man' after his efforts.

Now Italian-based Davis Yawe is lined up in his bid for the European light-heavyweight title, an important engagement deadlined for the end April.

Until May last year, official EBU contender Simpson boxed busily on the Midlands circuit without major success until winning the British title, then came the Commonwealth crown in his astonishing battle of Hastings.

Now a European chance has emerged.

I n the first promotion of 2001, Simpson was put on the canvas by Zimbabwe's Hastings Rasani in the opening round of their vacant Commonwealth title fight at the Coventry Skydome.

Up at six, he was back down for eight. Simpson was sunk for a third time in that opening round, and a rapid defeat beckoned.

Round two and deja vu. A heavy right sent Simpson back into familiar territory.

But Coventry fan Simpson unfolded his 'Rocky' script, and when Rasani saw his resilient opponent rise again, psychology played its vital part and the African was beaten in the fourth.

Simpson's record looks nothing special at first glance 11 defeats in 30 bouts, and 10 losses in his first 26, four of them in Cleethorpes.

There were, though, a fair few half-point losses and, since teaming up with promoter Jess Harding, Simpson's career has hit a big upswing.

He is not fazed about the prospect of fighting Davis in Italy, but would probably draw the line at Cleethorpes in the light of past experiences.

Harding has received an offer from the Italian promoters, but it does not match up to expectations and the location of the fight will be decided by purse offers, which close next Tuesday.

His fighting life changed when he outscored Mark Baker to win the vacant British title last May, and, in a performance of non-stop punching, dismantled Eastender Mark Delaney in just 60 seconds in mid-November.

Simpson's day job is making components for the leading car manufacturers, but his employers allow him five weeks off on full pay when training for a title fight.

Simpson is looking to take the same route, adding: ''If I win the European title then there's only one thing for it, a world title shot, that's the way I'm thinking.

''If I do it I'll have done it the hard way by winning the British title, defending it and then winning the Commonwealth.

''If I manage the European, which I'm very confident of doing, I want my reward to be a world title fight. Davis is in the world ratings so it's a chance for me to take his place.'