Boxing: Arthur fired up for latest test

Published on Friday 29 May 2009 09:57

FORMER WBO Superfeatherweight champion Alex Arthur admitted that he is "fired up and looking forward to trading ring leather" with 34-year-old Algerian Mohammed Benbiou on June 19 in Glasgow in his lightweight debut contest, writes BRIAN DONALD.

"All I know about Benbiou just now is that he is 5ft 7 inches tall and an orthodox style fighter and that he is a former challenger for the French super-featherweight title," said Arthur. "I'm relieved because now I can work out strategies with my coach Terry McCormack and my sparring partners.

"Although the fight with Benbiou is only three weeks away I've been sparring with former British featherweight champion Paul Appleby, who helped me in the past prepare for some of my best European superfeatherweight title wins, and former Sparta pro Mike Reid who is making a comeback on June 19 in Aberdeen and is a tough guy in sparring.

"I'll be sharp for my lightweight debut fight against Benbiou.''

The Algerian's modest record of 16 wins and 14 losses will not fool Arthur into being complacent in his first-ever fight at lightweight, for Benbiou has some serious punching power in his armoury.

"I'm 31 and I mean to win a world lightweight title so I can't afford any slip-ups by taking Benbiou too lightly. Eight of his 15 recorded wins have been by knockout so there's a punch in there somewhere and I don't intend to be careless enough to sample it."