Gilmour sees silver lining in Arthur loss

Published on Wednesday 10 September 2008 23:39

ALEX Arthur's world title defeat by Nicky Cook last weekend cast a cloud over Scottish boxing, but the Edinburgh fighter's loss should not be allowed to overshadow the sport north of the border, according to promoter Tommy Gilmour.

Gilmour made a strong case yesterday for looking to the immediate future with optimism after highlighting the fact that Scotland could, in theory at least, boast five British champions by the turn of the year.

Glasgow-based Gilmour alluded to South Queensferry featherweight Paul Appleby's current status as a Lonsdale Belt holder, while also pointing out that Jamie Coyle, Stevie McGuire, Lee McAllister and Kevin McIntyre are each one fight away from joining him.

Gilmour said: "Coyle will challenge Ryan Rhodes for his light middleweight crown a week on Saturday in Sheffield and McGuire, McAllister and McIntyre are the mandatory challengers for the super middleweight, lightweight and welterweight titles respectively.

"So I think it is fair to say that Scottish boxing is in a pretty healthy state, all things considered, and is very competitive at the moment."

Coyle, bidding to become the first Scot to hold a Lonsdale belt at the weight, will form an advanced guard against Rhodes in nine days time, having rescued his dream of a professional career, by dint of undergoing laser eye surgery five years ago.

Coyle, 32, from Bannockburn, was refused a licence by the British Boxing Board of Control after failing their stringent medical examination on the grounds that he was short sighted.

But the former slaughterhouse worker spent 2,000 to have the defect rectified before contacting Gilmour for a second time expressing a wish to turn professional.

Gilmour recalled: "I had always wanted to sign Jamie because he has so much character and talent, but I told him he was wasting his time because of his eyes. But his persistence has paid off."

Coyle said: "When I failed the eye test at 25, I was gutted. My heart wasn't in amateur boxing after that, even though I won another Scottish title.

"I had to save the money from my job in a slaughterhouse and it took me a while, around two years, but it was the best money I ever spent."