Arthur eyes March return as Burns faces Gomez

Published on Wednesday 7 January 2009 22:40

FORMER world super-featherweight champion Alex Arthur expects to make a comeback in March on a Sports Network promotion.

The 30-year-old Edinburgh boxer, who relinquished his WBO title to Nicky Cook in Manchester last September in one of the ring upsets of the year, has been told by promoter Frank Warren to prepare for a 14 March date. Arthur, confirming the news yesterday, said: "I do not know yet who I will be fighting or where the bout will take place but I am relieved that I have a target to aim at following my decision to move up to lightweight."

Fellow super-featherweight Ricky Burns will also be in action in the spring when he makes a second defence of his Commonwealth crown against Arthur's nemesis, Michael Gomez.

Gomez, who defeated Arthur in October 2003 in a British title bout by dint of a fifth round stoppage, has been granted his wish after repeatedly calling out the 25-year-old champion from Coatbridge.

Burns is not in the least bothered that 31-year-old Gomez has something of a reputation as the scourge of Scottish fighters following wins over Arthur, Ian McLeod and Craig Docherty.

"No Scot has managed to beat Gomez but I intend to set the record straight. Gomez was an excellent fighter in his day, but I feel that he is coming to the end of the road," said Burns.

Burns has been given a provisional date of 27 March, at Bellahouton Leisure Centre in Glasgow.