11.12 - British Super Featherweight Champion "Amazing" Alex Arthur is setting out to stamp his authority as the best 130 pound fighter in Britain. The Twenty four year old native of Edinburgh, Scotland has the class and pedigree to make an "Amazing" global impact and has a high determination for success to reach the very top. Alex was voted British Boxing's best young Boxer of the year 2001, by the Boxing writers club.

 

With fantastic experience gained in a brilliant amateur career that honed Alex's skills and talent to produce a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games,  Alex has capitalised on his experiences to lay the foundations for the professionals. So far, eleven of Alex's thirteen opponents have failed to hear the final bell, this produces excitement and there is an "Amazing" buzz in British Boxing with Alex Arthur.

 

In only his tenth professional fight Alex laid claim to the IBF Intercontinental Super Featherweight title in Glasgow Scotland. On October 19th 2002 in the Braehead Arena, Glasgow with a five thousand strong tartan army of roaring fans, Alex produced a thrilling performance to KO Steve Conway in the fourth round to become the British Super Featherweight Champion.

 

On December 14th Alex will be making the first defence of his British title against Carl Greaves in Newcastle, England. Here is what the British Super Featherweight Champion, Alex Arthur had to say about Boxing, his experiences and influences, his career so far and his first British title defence.

 

Alex, could you tell us how you got into Boxing and about your tremendous amateur career in which you won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in 1998?

 

I started Boxing at 10 years old, through a friend who Boxed as a youth at the Sparta club. The club of Ken Buchanan. I was always into Boxing as I watched it with my Dad as a youngster. I always wanted to become a Boxer, but my Dad forbid me. When my Dad went to prison I started Boxing because he could not stop me.

I had 112 amateur contests winning 99. In 1998 I was No: 3 world ranked. I Boxed in 2 World Amateur Championships, I won a Euro silver in Russia at Bantam in 1996. I Boxed in Hungary, South Africa, Russia, Denmark, Belgium, Finland, Sweden, Texas, New York, England, Wales, Germany, Ireland, Turkey 3 times, and of course Kuala Lumpur Malaysia where I won the "Gold" medal.

 

You turned professional on November 25th 2000 stopping Richmond Asante in round one. How did you find the transition from amateur to professional and what was the night of your first professional win like for you?

 

It was completely natural to turn pro. I trained and sparred with Paul Weir, Drew Docherty as a 15 year old Flyweight. My coaches were ex-pros so it was easy to adapt.

When the right hand landed on Asante I knew it was over and a new era had begun for Scottish Boxing.

 

In your tenth professional fight you beat Dariusz Snarski in round ten to win the IBF Intercontinental Super Featherweight title and in your thirteenth fight you became the British Super Featherweight Champion in impressive fashion in Glasgow knocking out Steve Conway in the fourth round. Can you describe your title wins and the feeling you got becoming the British Super Featherweight Champion in your thirteenth fight now that you have had the time to reflect on your achievements?  

 

The night I beat Dariusz Snarski was great. To win a first pro title with quite a tough fight made it even better. He had a big heart, was in great condition and a good chin. And to win the British in front of 5 thousand Scots fans was "Amazin". I felt like I could walk through a brick wall that night. Its something to savour that Lonsdale belt. Its definitely in my plans to defend it thrice and keep it for my son Alex Jnr.

 

On December 14th you are making the first defence of you British Championship against Carl Greaves in Newcastle, England on the undercard of Joe Calzaghes WBO Super Middleweight World title defence and Ricky Hattons WBU Light Welterweight title defence. What are your impressions of Carl Greaves, I understand your planning on winning the Lonsdale belt outright in quick time, starting with an impressive win over Greaves?

 

I'm really excited to Box in front of 11 thousand fans on such a big card. Carl Greaves is a good opponent. He's physically strong, doesn't seem to be a big puncher with his record and has sound Boxing skill. However, I'm very confident in my "Toolbag" and can do whatever it takes to win on the night. Spectacularly and steal the show.

 

The Boxing Writers Club voted you the best young Boxer of the year for 2001, what was it like receiving this excellent accolade and becoming the sixth Scotsman to win the award in the 51 year history?

 

Firstly I have corrected so many people on the fact that I know Boxing history better than so many experts. Even the writers. Scotland have won the award "Eight" times. 1956 - Bobby Neil, 1963 - Walter McGowan, 1966 - Ken Buchanan, 1967 - John McCluskey, 1975 - Vernon Sollas, 1988 - Gary Jacobs, 2000 - Scott Harrison, 2001 - Myself, makes 8. It was one of the best nights of my life. Its the best award in British Boxing.

 

Who do you see as future opponents Alex and who would you most like to face in the near future?

 

Super Feather is a great division. And I feel I will be the star in the division in a year or so. Carl is my first notch. I would also like to put the record straight with Willie Limmond. And also Craig Docherty who has been mentioning my name in Scottish press. Then for Michael Gomez, even Dean Pithie and of course Kevin Lear who holds the W.B.U title. That would be a good domestic battle for the fans. Then when I come on world scene, we'll have to see who's around.

 

What are your impressions of the World Champions at Super Featherweight WBA/WBO World Champion, Acelino Freitas and WBC World Champion, S. Singmanassuk?

 

I think Freitas is very good. He was a huge puncher up until recently when he's been winning fights on points. I think that could be with making the unnatural weight. But he is still the World No: 1 for me, and if the rumours are true, Singmanassuk will not hold onto his title if he Boxes, Philip Ndou. He's a very good fighter.

 

Your gym in Scotland must have a tremendous vibe, with yourself winning awards and becoming British Champion and your stable mate, Scott Harrison becoming the WBO Featherweight World Champion. Can you tell us about training in the gym and working along with Scott and his father Peter Harrison, there must be a fantastic atmosphere with you both feeding from each others success?

 

The vibe is good. Scotland's buzzing at the minute. We work in Isolation and our training is different, but its working and all the hard sparring we have done is paying off.

 

What is your biggest motivation and who influences you the most?

 

My biggest motivation is knowing that God has given me a gift and a chance to become something different and special. And also the fact that one day I may become a World Champion, just like Ken Buchanan. And to secure my family financially. Again I would have to say my family and my Edinburgh people. They didn't have much to brag about until I came along. Now they have a Champion who's undefeated. And my son Alex Jnr, since he came along I've worked twice as hard. He's my life along with my beautiful fiancée Debbie. 

 

I have heard Scottish Hall of Fame Boxer, Ken Buchanan is taking you as his personal guest to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in New York State USA next June as a reward for winning the British Championship. You must be delighted, would you tell us about this?

 

I met Ken for some lunch after the fight with Conway. We had a great day chatting about all our past experiences and what the future could hold for myself. After giving me a copy of his new book, which he signed "To Edinburgh's Next World Champion" and some more memorabilia, he then broke the news to me that he planned to take me to the Induction Ceremony's next June to my delight. I'm absolutely over the moon.

 

Who are you favourite Boxers of the past and present and what is your favourite fight of all time?

 

My favourite past Boxers are Kenny obviously, along with Sugar Ray Robinson and Joe Louis. Then the more modern retired Boxers would be Muhammad Ali, The superb Sugar Ray Leonard, and Julio Cesar Chavez. The best in the biz at the moment include in my eyes: Roy Jones Jr, Oscar De La Hoya whom I have always tried to copy and mould myself on because of the similar style. Ricardo Lopez, Marco Barrera, Floyd Mayweather and Vernon Forrest. My favourite fight has to be Chavez Vs Taylor I. I loved the scenario.

 

Would you like to give a message to readers around the world on East Side Boxing?

 

It's hardcore Boxing and it's what people want to see and hear so tune in, keep reading. And I can promise you I will be World Champion, so get behind me.

 

Thank you very much Alex for taking the time for this interview, as a fan it has been a pleasure. Congratulations on becoming the British Super Featherweight Champion and I wish you all the success for the future and look forward to watching your career unfold.

 

Thank you "East Side" it's been a pleasure.

Questions or Comments to chris_esboxing@hotmail.com