Boxing: Alex Arthur glad to be given June comeback date

Published on Tuesday 19 May 2009 09:42

ALEX ARTHUR is delighted his long-awaited ring comeback has been confirmed – but Edinburgh's former British, European and WBO super-featherweight champion admitted frustration that his opponent is as yet unknown.

Promoter Frank Warren has confirmed that Arthur will fight at Glasgow's Bellahouston Leisure Centre on June 19.

Arthur said: "I know I'm fighting an eight-rounder on the undercard but I'd really like to know who I will be boxing so I can start preparing with a particular opponent in mind."

It will be Arthur's first bout since September when he lost the world title he inherited from Joan Guzman to England's Nicky Cook by a unanimous points decision.

"To be honest, these last six months have been a drag as I struggled to get back to fitness and injury KO'd my original comeback date in March," added Arthur.

"Boxing is my livelihood and I haven't been earning for that so that's another incentive to get back to full speed ahead as a lightweight.

"However, Frank Warren has also indicated that once I get the Bellahouston fight out of the way successfully I won't be hanging about this summer as he plans to put me on in July again too.

" I can't wait as being away from actual boxing in the ring has been a real downer for me.

"But I'd like the July fight to be a WBO/WBC or IBF Continental lightweight title fight to fast-track me into lightweight title contention."

Tickets will be priced 50 and 30.

Meanwhile, Scottish National Youth coach Peter Harrison has opened negotiations with Sparta club official George Forsyth to use the famed city outfit's cracking new state-of-the art gym in Portobello as a training base for his 37 British youth championship contenders who will box for Scotland against England and Wales at Portobello Town Hall on June 12/13.

Confirmed Harrison: "The superb new Sparta gym is situated only a quarter of a mile away along Portobello High Street from the Town Hall, so it would be a hugely convenient base for all of our boxers."