Boxing: Arthur hits old heights

Published on Sunday 5 September 2010 16:23

ALEX Arthur returned to his old form with a 79-74 points victory over Peter McDonagh at the Kelvin Hall.

It was a performance that impressed the on-watching former world champion Paul Weir, who said: "That was the old Arthur we saw tonight - he showed all the moves and boxing skills that he possessed in his earlier career - a win all the more impressive because McDonagh was a real, live, tough opponent."

As much as Weir's assessment was spot on, Arthur himself claimed that he felt ring-rusty, a claim that McDonagh's coach, Ash Sharma, disagreed with.

He said: "We knew Arthur was a class performer but, even though my man McDonagh gave him a good fight, we hoped Arthur might be ring-rusty, but there was no doubt that Arthur won well."

Arthur's coach Terry McCormack was another who disagreed that his boxer had been ring-rusty, saying: "Arthur won by a massive 79-74 score because, as he said prior to the fight with McDonagh, it would be the old Alex Arthur who answered the bell, not the shadow who lost to Nigel Wright.

"All the old trademarks were back in place, the smooth boxing instead of seeking single-power shots, the stiff left hooks to the body and the combinations like the four punch one he landed on McDonagh in the third round.

"Now we are looking forward to November when Alex will be in the ring again. The plan is another two warm-up fights, then who knows, another title shot?"

Arthur, who stayed on with McDonagh to watch the next fight on the bill, said: "He was a good opponent but I was pleased by the fact that I was able to cope with anything that he threw at me like his straight right hand punches. But I will be even better next time out, and a lightweight title remains the aim."

Arthur's promoter Frank Warren said "We will be looking to build on Arthur's win over McDonagh."

In the main fight of the evening, Coatbridge superfeatherweight Ricky Burns caused an upset by winning the WBO superfeatherweight title over Puerto Rican champion Roman Martinez on points.