Boxing: Alex Arthur drops retirement hint

ALEX Arthur, the former world super-featherweight champion from Edinburgh, has given his strongest hint yet that he is set to quit boxing.

The ex-WBO title holder has revealed that he turned down a bout with Ukrainian Serhiy Fedechenko, the WBO European light-welterweight champion.

Arthur, 34, who has fought only twice in the past two years, said: “I was offered a couple of fights, including Fedechenko, but I had to turn him down as 20 April was too short notice. I would have had only four weeks to get myself in shape whereas I would need three months to prepare properly. I am not closing the door completely on a comeback because I know I would be capable of doing it, and if another offer like Fedechenko comes along I would give it consideration.

“But it would take a lot to get me back into full training and I’m no longer sure that I have the mindset to put myself through the dieting and hard slog involved in being a full-time boxer. I haven’t sparred for five or six months or thrown a punch in that time and I’ve been enjoying my new career as a TV and radio pundit, analysing fights for Sky and commentating for BBC.”