Arthur all set to face Guzman in Glasgow

Published on Wednesday 5 March 2008 09:26

CAPITAL boxing star Alex Arthur has admitted his world title fight is unlikely to go ahead at Meadowbank.

The WBO interim super-featherweight champ is set to take on Dominican Joan Guzman for the full version of the title and Meadowbank had been touted as the likely venue on April 26. However, Arthur has now suggested both the venue and date are likely to change. He said: "The management at Meadowbank have always been good to me and I have had some memorable European title fights there. But I honestly don't think that it would be fair to all Scottish boxing fans to stage such a big fight in such a low capacity arena so I expect the fight to be switched to Glasgow, where there are venues which will accommodate the kind of crowd that befits a world-title fight.

"Also, I expect the bout to be take place in early May rather than on April 26 as was originally mentioned."

Arthur has also switched his main training camp for the fight from Meadowbank to Terry McCormack's Lochend gym. He explained: "I will be concentrating my training for Guzman at Terry McCormack's Sleigh Drive gym –where I've been training recently because I love the buzz and atmosphere in Terry's place.

"Terry is part of my team and will be in my corner when I fight Guzman."

Arthur also hit back at boasts by the Guzman camp such as claims that the fight was "easy money" and the fact that most pundits have the Edinburgh ace as a massive underdog.

Arthur said: "Most of the Scottish and British boxing media have already written me off as a big underdog – almost a no-hoper

"But, while I readily admit that I am the underdog, all those dismal Jimmies writing me off as a loser forget that, while Guzman is certainly a great fighter, so am I – as I aim to prove.

"Former world featherweight champion Barry McGuigan phoned me and told me that he believes that I have every chance of beating Guzman.

"So let the knockers write me off – it will just fire me up more to prove them wrong."