Boxer Alex Arthur aiming to punch his weight on big screen

Published on Thursday 4 March 2010 09:05

HE'S used to swapping blows with some of the planet's hardest men so you'd hardly expect him to be beaten up by a woman.

But city boxer Alex Arthur has revealed he is set to be floored by a female opponent – not in the ring but on a movie set.

The 31-year-old super featherweight has been recruited by producer Bill Little to play a gangster in the film Revenge, due to be shot in coming months. He tracked down Alex, from the Southside, through boxing friends and approached him because he thought he "had the ideal face to play a movie heavy".

Alex, who split from promoter Frank Warren earlier this week, told the News:

"I've already stated several times that I fancied being an actor so I'm thrilled Bill Little gave me the part."

Alex will play murderer Shug the Thug, and while he's delighted to be playing the hardman role there is one element causing him discomfort – "I do get beaten up by the female lead at one point in the script."

Alex insisted that his immediate future remained in the ring rather than the red carpet. "Ricky Hatton and I are old mates who've boxed on many bills together so I'm contacting his promotions first to see if we can work something out.

"One thing is certain – I still have plenty to offer in the ring yet, so retirement isn't an option. But if I prove a success as a movie actor that will be the direction my post-boxing career will take."

Alex won't be the first boxing actor. Golden Globe winner Mickey Rourke, who last year won praise for his role in Hollywood blockbuster The Wrestler, was a professional boxer during a break from acting in the early 1990s.

And boxer Mike Tyson recently cameoed as himself in the comedy hit The Hangover.

Bill Little, himself a former world kick-boxing champion, said Alex's casting was more than a gimmick.

He said: "This is no bit-part – Alex, who will join me and the cast on location at Clydebank in three weeks' time, will play the leading role of Shug the Thug, a gang leader.

"Alex will actually fight in the film and gets banjoed with a motorcycle crash helmet. He came through his screen test brilliantly and proved that he has acting talent."

The film, which will be pitched to cinemas through a major distributor, also stars actor Bruce Lawrence who has appeared in The Bill and Doctor Who.

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