04.01.05 – Hot Welsh prospect JAMIE ARTHUR is out for revenge when he faces super-featherweight rival HAIDER ALI on 21 January at the Bridgend Leisure Centre in Wales. Both captured gold at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, Arthur as a lightweight and Ali in the featherweight category, but the Cwmbran man is looking to avenge his team-mate Peter Ashton who Ali beat in the second round of the tournament..
Arthur, who became the first Welsh boxer to win gold since the great Howard Winstone, said, “I have never been more motivated for a fight even though I train for each fight like I am the challenger for a world title. This fight has an extra element thrown in – revenge,
“Ali beat Peter Ashton who is a friend and was my team-mate at the Commonwealth Games and so this is a must win fight for me which has taken a very personal slant,
“I’m unbeaten and he’s not going to take that away from me – he’s in for one hell of a fight,
Beyond Arthur’s motives to win he does holds Ali in high regards.
The 25-year-old continued, “I watched him throughout the Games and felt that he was a tremendous fighter – probably the best there. I did look up to him at the time because of his talent so it will be strange facing him now,”
“He’s very classy and unorthodox and I’m sure he will be coming here with the aim of beating me otherwise he wouldn’t have taken the fight in my backyard,
Arthur finished by saying, “I can’t afford to lose this fight and take a set back in my career. I will have had eight weeks to prepare so there will be no excuses on the night but I know I will be walking away the winner.”
Headline attraction features Enzo Maccarinelli’s WBU World Cruiserweight title defence against Rich LaMontagne.
The card also features Welsh talent including middleweight Gary Lockett and light-welters Tony Doherty and Barrie Jones. Making their pro-debuts will be Swansea heavyweight Darren Morgan, the 2004 Four Nations Champion, and Newbridge middleweight Kerry Hope.
Tickets for “Warning: Explosive Material!”, are available from the Sports Network Box Office on 01992 550 888.