Boxing: Arthur is handed Barrera, Khan big fight promise

Published on Tuesday 10 February 2009 08:45

FORMER WBO super-featherweight champion Alex Arthur has been promised a match-up with the winner of the forthcoming Marco Antonio Barrera versus Amir Khan fight.

Arthur's manager Frank Warren has told him that, provided he wins his first two fights at lightweight, he will take on either Barrera or Khan following their bout in Manchester on March 14.

Arthur, who faces his first bout at his new weight against a yet unnamed opponent on March 27, said: "I am a motivational fighter so I was delighted when Frank told me.

I don't care who wins as I'm confident that I'd beat either of them.

"I think I would punch too hard for Khan whose frailty to big punches was exposed by Colombian Bredis Prescott on the undercard of my losing fight against Nicky Cook in Manchester.

"And, while most people would make me an underdog against Barrera, I think I could beat him too."

Meanwhile, it's a case of ring dj vu for Gilmerton's unbeaten pro featherweight Jason Hastie, who will once again face English opponent Robert Deakin on February 27 at Paisley's Lagoon Centre. Hastie previously outpointed Deakin at Meadowbank in 2008.

Lochend welterweight Gary McMillan is also scheduled to box on the same Paisley bill as Hastie over ten rounds for the vacant Scottish welterweight title against a selected opponent.