Arthur left hanging on the telephone as WBO weigh up Guzman bids

Published on Thursday 31 January 2008 09:21

EDINBURGH'S World Boxing Organisation's interim super-featherweight champion Alex Arthur expects the governing body to announce tonight the winner of the bid for the right to stage his challenge to Dominican champion Joan Guzman.

Arthur said: "My manager, Frank Warren, has submitted a blind bid – so-called because he doesn't actually know what figure Guzman's rival Golden Boy Promotions group will have submitted.

"Frank assured me that his bid was the best he could possibly do for me and is aimed at ensuring that my challenge to Guzman will take place in Britain rather than over in the US.

"The WBO HQ is in Puerto Rico, which is around eight hours behind us, so I expect to know the outcome of the purse bids by around 6.00pm our time.

"I will just be glad to find out one way or the other to put an end to the confusion that has been part and parcel of my daily routine ever since Guzman changed his mind about relinquishing the title.''

However, Peter Harrison, father of former WBO featherweight champion Scott Harrison, has warned Arthur not to assume that Guzman will actually go through with the fight.

Harrison snr, now Scottish amateur national youth development coach, said: "Guzman was twice linked by Frank Warren to fight my son in title fights and he twice ran out on Frank and Scott, so I really wonder if he will ever go through with a fight with Alex Arthur.''

TOP Scottish amateur referee and judge Tony Reid has quit his secretary's position at the Forthside club and is currently negotiating with Leith Victoria with a view of taking up a similar position within the Academy Street club.