Boxing: Arthur a step closer to his new career

Published on Thursday 9 June 2011 11:12

Alex ARTHUR'S bid to become a boxing promoter has received a big boost after his plans were given the full backing of Scottish pro boxing chiefs at a meeting of the Scottish Area Council of the Boxing Board of Control.

Chairman of the Board, Bernard Connolly, said: "We have unanimously thrown our support behind Alex Arthur's application to promote a boxing show in August in Edinburgh and now our recommendation will go down to the full Board in Cardiff in July.

"I was impressed by Alex's desire to provide Edinburgh and eastern Scottish boxers with work by putting them on his bill as well as matching himself in the top-of-the-bill spot.''

Arthur, the former WBO super-featherweight champion, has already made plans for the potential shows at Meadowbank, and said: "I'm really thrilled by the support of the Scottish Area Council."

Arthur has a sponsor for his first show at Meadowbank on August 27 - Eastern Graphic design company owner Ewan McLean from Edinburgh.

He has also picked his first bill of boxers to cover one side of the fight card. Celtic super-middleweight champion Kenny Anderson, unbeaten super-middleweight John McCallum, Gilmerton featherweight Jason Hastie and welterweight Gary Young have all been pinpointed, while he also hopes to have unbeaten Edinburgh light-middleweight, John Thain, topping the bill against a quality opponent.

"It's going to be a memorable night in Edinburgh boxing history," added Arthur.

"Kenny Anderson has already pledged that his supporters will buy 500 tickets and I also have many ticket buying supporters so I'm confident the show will be a success.''

Meanwhile, Lochend club welterweight Gary McMillan will contest a British title eliminator next Friday at Glasgow's Thistle Hotel against Paisley's former British 10st 7lb division champion Kevin McIntryre who retained the British crown between 2007 an 2008 by twice beating Fifer Kevin Anderson on points. McIntyre, like McMillan, is a southpaw but has much more experience. He was stopped in one round by Sheffield's Kell Brook, losing his British title in 2008.

McMillan's coach, Terry McCormack, said: "It's too good an opportunity to miss."