Arthurs new campaign at lightweight

Discussion in 'British Boxing Forum' started by almsn, Jun 19, 2009.


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  1. almsn

    almsn Guest

    Alex Arthur is aiming to win a second world title as he begins his new career as a lightweight on Friday night - even if he has to beat some of boxing's biggest names to do so.

    The Edinburgh ace steps up to 135 pounds after reigning as the WBO world super-featherweight champion until last year.

    And once he's dealt with French-Algerian Mohamed Benbiou at the Bellahouston Sports Centre, Glasgow, he says he's going after some of the big guns in the lightweight division.

    The 30-year-old admits it won't be easy, as lightweight reads like a who's who of boxing at the moment, with Juan Manuel Marquez holding two titles and the likes of Edwin Valero, Juan Diaz, Marco Antonio Barrera, Michael Katsidis, David Diaz and Breidis Prescott in the world's top 10.

    There's also the small matter of Joan Guzman, who Arthur was scheduled to fight last year in a WBO super-featherweight title match up, only for the fight to fall through.

    "Looking at some of the names in the lightweight division, a lot of boxers would be running scared," said Arthur.

    "But I'm relishing the challenge and I want a big name for a world title later this year.

    "Most of those guys were boxing at super-featherweight when I was coming through.

    "I nearly got fights against Barrera and Guzman, but for one reason or another they didn't come off.

    "I'd love to fight Guzman at lightweight because there's definitely a bit of history between us after he backed out of fighting me last year.

    "I've got a new lease of life at lightweight, and once I've beaten Benbiou, I'm looking to get a world title chance.

    "I'm already rated in the top 15 with the IBF, and a good win on Friday will see me climb the other organisations' ratings as well.

    "It's always been my dream to be a three weight world champion. I've acheived a third of that by winning the WBO title at super-featherweight, now it's phase two.

    "And in a year or two's time, I'd love to up to light-welterweight and fight Amir Khan with a world title on the line
     
    almsn, Jun 19, 2009
    almsn, Jun 19, 2009
    #1
  2. almsn

    almsn Guest

    Hopefully a good performance off Arthur tonight
     
    almsn, Jun 19, 2009
    almsn, Jun 19, 2009
    #2
  3. gasman

    gasman Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    May 16, 2009
    It should be, the guy he is fighting has a poor record, maybe a KO coming up??
     
    gasman, Jun 19, 2009
    gasman, Jun 19, 2009
    #3
  4. gasman

    gasman Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    May 16, 2009
    Benbiou is a stocky lad, looks a lot bigger than Arthur..
     
    gasman, Jun 19, 2009
    gasman, Jun 19, 2009
    #4
  5. brown bomber

    brown bomber 2010 Poster of the Year Full Member

    30,856
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    Jul 1, 2006
    Well done champ ko1
     
    brown bomber, Jun 19, 2009
    brown bomber, Jun 19, 2009
    #5
  6. girv

    girv Gatekeeper Full Member

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    Mar 6, 2007
    I remember seeing Arthr a the weigh in of the Nicky Cook fight and thinking ****. He looked like **** and didnt look much better come the night of the fight - no excuses Cook was the better man on the night.

    Tonight Arthur looked so much more healthy cominging into the ring and much faster and fresher in it.

    Alright it was only a few seconds so I cant get carried away but it looks as if Arthur could have a decent run at lightweight.
     
    girv, Jun 19, 2009
    girv, Jun 19, 2009
    #6
  7. Losfer_Words

    Losfer_Words Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    May 30, 2009
    Arthur looked very sharp tonight, albeit in against someone who isn't in his class. It'll be very interesting to see where he goes from here in one of boxing's best divisions at present.
     
    Losfer_Words, Jun 19, 2009
    Losfer_Words, Jun 19, 2009
    #7
  8. johnp

    johnp Reject Full Member

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    Jun 22, 2008
    I spoke to him afterwards and he was surprised that his opponent didn't give him at least 5 or 6 rounds.

    Good to see him back though!!
     
    johnp, Jun 19, 2009
    johnp, Jun 19, 2009
    #8
  9. MIK1000

    MIK1000 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    You can make excuses. That wasn't Arthur in there against Cook. He had no work rate and didn't even attempt to catch up. IMO Warren ruined Arthur. He kept him at European level for far too long knowing that it was getting harder and harder for him to make the weight. Eventually he was too weak at the weight to even win a title that he would have done a year or two before.
     
    MIK1000, Jun 19, 2009
    MIK1000, Jun 19, 2009
    #9
  10. Dan684

    Dan684 Dave's Stepdad Full Member

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    Feb 19, 2009
    Ha Ha - If he thinks he'll be a 3 weight world champion he's been smoking crack. I think its everymans dream to be the world champion first and foremost. Thats what I wanted I dont know why he's coming out with this **** about "It's always been my dream to be a 3 weight world champion".

    I think Alex Arthur is seriously overlooking the fact that he was lucky to be a 1 weight world champion.
     
    Dan684, Jun 19, 2009
    Dan684, Jun 19, 2009
    #10
  11. THE KNUCKLE

    THE KNUCKLE RIP YER HEID AFF Full Member

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    Mar 31, 2009
    Great to see him back,needs 2 concentrate on fighting for his family instead of fighting for god and jesus christ sake,his wee boy will be cringing when he sees the cook fight,should be destroying bums like him,
     
    THE KNUCKLE, Jun 19, 2009
    THE KNUCKLE, Jun 19, 2009
    #11
  12. kosaros

    kosaros Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Jul 21, 2008
    The guy he fought was made entirely of glass, he got rocked badly by a jab! :lol:
     
    kosaros, Jun 19, 2009
    kosaros, Jun 19, 2009
    #12
  13. gasman

    gasman Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    May 16, 2009
    Burns will be an undercard of an Arthur bill the next time around. Even though Arthurs opponent was very weak, Arthurs looked very good and powerful in there tonight.
     
    gasman, Jun 19, 2009
    gasman, Jun 19, 2009
    #13
  14. Mr T.

    Mr T. Member Full Member

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    Apr 8, 2009
    Arthur will be found wanting when he fights some decent opponets. He shud fight limond. I'm sure that will sell many ickets. Oppoent tonight was **** poor
     
    Mr T., Jun 19, 2009
    Mr T., Jun 19, 2009
    #14
  15. icemax

    icemax Indian Red Full Member

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    Apr 24, 2008
    Its the first time in my life that I have actually felt for Alex Arthur...he has been out of the ring for 9 months, has stepped up in weight and he probably wanted to get a few rounds under his belt to gain a bit of confidence back and his promoter decides to dish up a fighter like Benbiou. Shite matchmaking of the highest order.

    90 seconds of action gives neither Arthur or us any indication of what shape he is in, or what prospects he has for the future. It will be 3 months before he steps through the ropes again and that will mean he has been out of the game for a year with no meaningful action at all. Its dross like this that gives boxing such a bad name.
     
    icemax, Jun 19, 2009
    icemax, Jun 19, 2009
    #15
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