Arthur delays debut at his new weight

Published on Tuesday 4 November 2008 09:23

CAPITAL boxer Alex Arthur won't make his debut at lightweight until February, he revealed today.

The former WBO super-featherweight champion has been promised a "significant" bout by manager Frank Warren and Arthur has asked for it to be staged in Scotland.

Former British and European champ Arthur took the WBO title by default when Dominican Joan Guzman refused to defend against him. However, he lost it on points in his first defence against Englishman Nicky Cook in Manchester in September.

Following his defeat, critics said it was time to move up a weight and demand a rematch with Cook, but Arthur took his time to make his decision and said today: "After a long discussion with Frank Warren have agreed that I won't have my first fight at my new weight until February.

"Frank has promised I will fight in a significant lightweight bout which I have asked him to stage on a bill in Scotland."

Arthur said he had several reasons for delaying his lightweight debut. "I'm presently carrying a niggling back muscle injury and I also want time to adjust to the new weight division.

"I have agreed a new regime of strengthening exercises with my performance coach, John Watson, aimed at making me stronger without sacrificing ring mobility.

"I could have fought in December on a Frank Warren bill but it would have been a six or eight-rounder which I found hard to be motivated for after a world title fight. But Frank has promised me that my February comeback fight at lightweight will be a significant one with a possible title involved. It is also important to me that the fight is staged, if not in Edinburgh, at least in Scotland."

Arthur added that his most important motivation was to answer his critics.

He said: "I aim to prove them wrong at lightweight, where I will still enjoy height and reach advantages over most 9st 6lb fighters."