Arthur could share bill with Khan for first WBO defence

Published on Tuesday 24 June 2008 10:22

EDINBURGH'S WBO super-featherweight champion Alex Arthur will make the first defence of his world title on September 6.

The venue and opponent are yet to be named but Arthur's manager Frank Warren is pondering whether to put the Capital fighter on the same bill as Bolton's Commonwealth lightweight champion, Amir Khan.

Frank Warren's spokesman Richard Maynard confirmed: "Frank Warren is pondering whether to put Alex Arthur on the same bill as Amir Khan in Manchester.

"A firm decision has yet to be made. Meadowbank has been eliminated as the venue but a decision will be announced soon."

Arthur said: "I've fought often in Manchester and have lots of friends and fans down there so it wouldn't bother me in the least.

"All I'd like to learn is who my next opponent, then I can start training for them, but even now I'll start stepping up my preparations."

Meanwhile, Sparta's youth bantamweight champion, Stuart Blackie has been rewarded by the Scottish amateur selectors by being called up for the Great Britain trials. The talented Sparta youngster will go to Liverpool between July 7-11.

Similarly, Sparta's in-form lightweight, Lewis Benson, has been drafted into the Scottish squad for this weekend's British youth championships at Portobello Town Hall. Sparta youth champion Brian Lacey will also fight.