ALEX Arthur hopes fighting at the MEN Arena in Manchester for the first time in seven years will bring out the best in him when he makes his first defence of the WBO super-featherweight title next month.
The 30-year-old Scot, who was installed as WBO champion when previous title holder Joan Guzman pulled out of their scheduled contest in Edinburgh earlier this year, faces Nicky Cook of Essex on 6 September at a venue which was witnessed some of Briti
sh boxing's greatest nights in recent years.
Arthur appeared twice at the MEN Arena at the start of his professional career, on the undercards of Ricky Hatton world title shows in 2001, and is relishing the prospect of topping a bill which also features Commonwealth lightweight champion Amir Khan.
"I'm honestly not bothered that my first defence isn't in Scotland," said Arthur. "Manchester is only just down the road and the MEN Arena has become the most important venue in British boxing. It's a fantastic arena, the fans are always really enthusiastic.
"I enjoyed boxing there seven years ago and I've been there as a spectator many times. I was there for Joe Calzaghe's brilliant win against Jeff Lacy which was a great night and I hope I can live up to that kind of standard.
"This fight certainly has all the elements to be a classic. There is the Scotland versus England aspect and I see in Nicky Cook someone very much like myself. He is a passionate guy and a very good boxer. I don't know if it will be my hardest fight so far, but that's what I'm preparing for."
Cook, the former British, Commonwealth and European featherweight champion, suffered the only defeat of his 29-fight career last July when he was stopped in the 11th round by American Steve Luevano in a challenge for the WBO title.
"I was struggling to make featherweight for that fight and it affected me badly," said Cook, "but I believe the extra four pounds at super-featherweight will make me much stronger and better prepared against Alex. I'm going to be throwing back twice as many punches as he throws at me on 6 September."
Meanwhile, Aberdeen's Lee McAllister has been installed as mandatory challenger for the British lightweight title currently held by unbeaten Manchester boxer John Murray. The contest will go to purse bids on 10 September with Tommy Gilmour, McAllister's new promoter, hopeful of winning the right to stage it in Aberdeen.
McAllister, who has relinquished the lightly-regarded WBU light-welterweight and lightweight belts since joining Gilmour last week, should face Murray for the British crown before the end of 2008.
Gilmour has also secured British title shots for two more of his Scottish boxers. Jamie Coyle, the 31-year-old from Bannockburn, will challenge British light-middleweight champion Ryan Rhodes in Sheffield on 20 September while Glenrothes super-middleweight Stevie McGuire has been named mandatory challenger for the British crown currently held by Nottingham's Carl Froch.
The full article contains 509 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
