Frustrated Alex Arthur ends partnership with Warren

ALEX Arthur is set to follow a new career path following the 31-year-old Edinburgh boxer's announcement yesterday that he has parted company with his long-time promoter Frank Warren.

The ex-WBO super-featherweight champion reluctantly took the decision to request his release from his contractual agreement with the London fight boss on the grounds that he did not feel that Warren was any longer able to deliver the bouts he is looking for.

Arthur, who stressed that the parting was amicable, said: "Frank is very busy and I didn't feel as if I was one of his priority fighters any more. But we have parted on friendly terms and there is no animosity on my part because Frank has done a lot for my career and I rate him the best at what he does. But recently I have found it increasingly difficult to motivate myself not knowing when I am next going to fight and it has been hard going mentally. I am not blaming Frank because he has other boxers besides me that he has to consider and get fights for and that can't be easy in these recessionary times."

Arthur, who plans to give detailed thought to his future before mapping out a fresh strategy at lightweight, added: "I will talk with people in the business and sound out various promoters before I commit to anything. The bottom line is that I need to get my career back on track. My priority is to be fighting regularly at a decent level. I am a former world champion and I have no wish to become an undercard fighter."

Arthur last fought in December when he lost on his debut at light-welterweight to Nigel Wright on the undercard of Amir Khan's world title bout with Dimitriy Salita in Newcastle.

Meanwhile, former British featherweight champion Paul Appleby from South Queensferry, previously managed by Glasgow promoter Tommy Gilmour, has signed with Warren.

• Residents living near London's Royal Albert Hall have won a High Court order quashing licensing approval for boxing and wrestling bouts to be held again at the world famous venue.

The decision is a victory for residents in flats at Albert Court in Prince Consort Road, South Kensington, who fear such events would attract "anti-social elements" to the area and lead to increased noise.

The residents, backed by the freeholder and management company of Albert Court, complained that Westminster City Council failed to properly notify them of the proposed changes.