UK Boxing: Arthur vs Benbiou; Murray Wants Khan; Bunce Boxing Hour

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.”

Murray: “I Khan rule Amir’s World”

John Murray says he’s ready, willing and able to step into Andreas Kotelnik’s boxing boots should the German based Ukrainian’s suffer any further injury problems ahead of his rescheduled World title clash with Amir Khan at the MEN Arena in Manchester on July 18th. The undefeated Murray improved his perfect record to 27 and 0 last weekend with an impressive demolition of English Champion Scott Lawton and the Mancunian would be more than happy to make Bolton rival Khan victim number 28.

It was confirmed yesterday that Khan’s World title bid was being postponed for 3 weeks with the venue switched to the MEN Arena after Kotelnik withdrew from the original date at the O2 in London with a toothache.

“Boxing seems to be jinxed at the moment with fighters getting injured,” said Murray. “In the space of a couple of weeks you’ve had David Haye, Floyd Mayweather Jnr. and now Kotelnik having to postpone fights and I just want to make it clear that I’m willing to get in there with Amir if Kotelnik has any more problems.

“To be honest I know that the Manchester fans would be way more interested in seeing me and Khan getting on it than the Kotelnik fight anyway and it would pack out the MEN.

“What a night that would be. I think it would be up there with the likes of Benn and Eubank in terms of big British fights. I think our styles would really match up to make it a sensational scrap but ultimately I don’t think he’d be able to deal with my pressure, strength and power.”

Murray abandoned any post fight celebrations on Saturday after he was told that the Khan – Kotelnik fight was in doubt.

“I went home, watched the fight back and had an early night because I was told that Khan might be looking for a new opponent for the original June 27th date. My promoter Mick Hennessy told them that I’d be available for the 27th but they’ve rescheduled it now for July 18th but if Kotelnik has any more problems then I’ll be ready to step in for him.

“I’ve offered to fight Khan quite a few times over the years now but nothing’s ever come of it. He hasn’t even proved he’s the best fighter in his weight in Greater Manchester let alone Britain, Europe or the World.”

Khan recently said he rated Kotelnik as the worst World Champion in boxing and Murray believes it’s a fight that his rival can win as long as his chin holds up. “Kotelnik’s nothing special,” said the 24-year-old. “He was a decent amateur and he’s tough and strong but Junior Witter beat him a few years back in a European title defence and I’ve never been overly impressed with Kotelnik any time I’ve seen him.

“Khan’s fast and flashy but he still makes so many mistakes and his chin is obviously suspect. Breidis Prescott needed less than a minute to prove that and anyone that catches Khan square on the chin with a half decent punch will probably knock him out.”

Summer preview on the Steve Bunce Boxing Hour

It’s a summer special on this Thursday’s Steve Bunce Boxing Hour, Setanta Sports News at 2pm, as we take a look at some of the biggest fights coming up in the next few months.

We speak to Tony Quigley ahead of his British super-middleweight title defence against Brian Magee, who will also appear on the show. Their fight is live and exclusive on Setanta Sports 1 on Saturday 27 June.

We’ll be live in the north east with Olympic bronze medallists Tony Jeffries and Darren Sutherland, who fight on the undercard of Frank Maloney’s next event at the Seaburn Centre in Sunderland in July.

And Frank Warren has all the latest on the Amir Khan vs. Andreas Kotelnik title fight, which has been rescheduled and now takes place at the MEN Arena in Manchester on Saturday 18 July.