Alex Arthur
| Alex Arthur | |
|---|---|
 Alex Arthur on 14 April 2012 | |
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Alex Arthur |
| Rated at | Light Welterweight |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Born |
26 June 1978 Edinburgh, Scotland, |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 34 |
| Wins | 31 |
| Wins by KO | 21 |
| Losses | 3 |
| Draws | 0 |
| No contests | 0 |
Alex Arthur MBE (born 26 June 1978), nicknamed "Amazing" Alex Arthur, is a retired professional boxer from Edinburgh in Scotland.
Arthur is a former British, Commonwealth, European Boxing Union (EBU) and WBO super featherweight champion.[1]
On 26 June 2013, on his 35th birthday, Arthur officially retired from boxing,[2] his last fight was at the Meadowbank Stadium in Edinburgh on 14 April 2012.
Early professional career
Arthur had his first professional contest in November 2000 when he defeated fellow debutant Richmond Asante at the Wythenshawe forum in Manchester. Also on the card that day were fighters of the quality of Anthony Farnell, Junior Witter, Matthew Hatton, Michael Jennings and Jamie Moore.[3]
After winning 11 fights in a row and picking up a couple of fringe titles on the way, Arthur managed to get a crack at the vacant British Super Featherweight title when he challenged Dewsbury's Steven Conway at the Braehead Arena in Glasgow on 19 October 2002. The win established Arthur as a force on the domestic scene and he followed up the victory with two defences against Carl Greaves and fellow Scot Willie Limond. One more victory would have given him the Lonsdale belt for keeps and that was when the undefeated prospect with a record of 16-0 ran into Longford's Michael Gomez.
Michael Gomez fight
Michael Gomez fought Arthur for the British and WBA International super featherweight titles in front of a sold out Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland in October 2003. This was the first professional boxing card in the city for almost 20 years.[4]
A war of words was waged between the two fighters prior to the fight, Arthur had stirred up the animosity between the pair stating in an interview that Gomez "gets involved in wars with journeymen" and that "looking deep into Gomez's eyes at the press conference, I’m not sure even he believes he can win. He’ll be so fired up I expect it’ll take me eight or nine rounds but, if his resistance has gone as people are saying, it could be a lot sooner" and "I see about 20 ways to beat him. I'm just looking forward to shutting him up.".[4][5]
Arthur, who was looking to retain the Lonsdale Belt, was seen as a rising star in British boxing and was being groomed to be a future world champion. Arthur was a strong favourite to defeat Gomez and this fight was seen as a stepping stone against a Gomez how had been through too many battles and abused his body too much.[6][7][8]
Gomez proved his critics wrong when on the night of the fight Gomez arrived in prime condition and with aggression, determination and desire.[7][9] Eventually, Gomez won this bad tempered contested fight with an explosive knock out of Arthur in the fifth round.[10] Arthur's performance in the early rounds and his resilience before the KO saw the bout hailed as one of the best fights in Britain for a decade. Boxing promoter Frank Warren called the fight "the greatest contest seen on these shores since Nigel Benn beat Gerald McClellan in 1995".[11]
Comeback
He made his comeback the next year on 27 March 2004 by stopping Michael Kizza in the first round for the IBF Inter-Continental super featherweight title. He made two defences of that fringe title before lining himself up for a shot at Commonwealth Super-Featherweight champion Craig Docherty. To make matters more interesting the British title was now vacant again meaning that the Docherty fight would be for the British and Commonwealth Super-Featherweight titles. The fight took place at the Meadowbank Sports Centre in Edinburgh and ended with Arthur knocking Docherty out in the 9th round. Arthur was once again a force to be reckoned with.[12]
European Champion
In order to fully seal his comeback Arthur's next fight was against the reigning European champion at super feather Boris Sinitsin. He managed to defeat the experienced Russian with a wide 12 round decision and so held the British, Commonwealth and European title belts at the same time.[13] He put all three of them on the line in his next fight against fellow Scot Ricky Burns winning another 12 round decision.[14] It was however the only time he would defend all three at once, his next two fights saw him only defend the European title against mandatory challenger Sergey Gulyakevich and Spain's Sergio Palomo.
WBO Champion
On 21 July 2007 he stopped Koba Gogoladze in the tenth round to win the interim WBO super-featherweight title recognised as one of the 4 main 'World' belts. He made his first defence on 15 December 2007 against fellow Brit Steve Foster Jr. In what was supposed to be an easy tune up fight, Arthur struggled to win a close unanimous decision. It was a terrible start from the champion, for the first four rounds he was getting beaten to the punch and taking heavy blows from Foster. He regained his composure in the middle rounds and even knocked down his opponent in the 9th with a body shot. However two rounds later in round 11 Arthur got floored himself after taking a right hand that knocked him straight through the ropes. He managed to regain his composure and won a close decision.[15]
Following the Foster win Arthur geared himself up to take on Dominican Joan Guzmán who held the full version of the title. However, Guzmán decided that he wanted to move up a weight division and chose not to compete against Arthur. This decision by Guzmán meant that the interim titleholder was now recognized as the organization's world champion.[16]
Arthur however surrendered the title in his very next fight, losing a unanimous points decision to England's Nicky Cook at the MEN Arena in Manchester on 9 September 2008. Arthur claimed that he had been "robbed" he also added "It was three English judges - in England. A fighter knows in his heart if he has won or lost a fight and I really thought I had won",[17] Other observers however thought that the decision was fair and that Cook fully deserved his win. .[18] [19]
Second comeback
Since losing to Nicky Cook in 2008 Arthur went on to win against Mohamed Benbiou on 19 June 2009 via TKO in Round 1 at the Bellahouston Sports Centre in Glasgow, Arthur then lost on points to Nigel Wright on 5 December 2009 at the Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle. In 2010 Arthur had 2 back to back wins against Peter McDonagh on 4 September 2010 and Jay Morris on 4 December 2010 both in Glasgow.
Arthur was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2012 Birthday Honours for services to boxing.[20]
Amazing Alex Arthur Promotions and Retirement
In 2011 Arthur went into promoting with his own AAA Promotions. His first event took place at the Meadowbank Stadium in Edinburgh on 27 August 2011 where Arthur fought Aleksander Vakhtangashvili and won via TKO in the fourth round. On 14 April 2012 AAA Promotions staged their second and final event again at the Meadowbank Stadium where Arthur faced Michael Frontin and won via points after 8 rounds.
On 26 June 2013 Arthur officially retired from boxing after 14 months without a fight.
Professional boxing record
| 31 Wins (21 knockouts, 10 decisions), 3 loss(s) (1 knockout), 0 Draw, 0 No Contest | |||||||
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Type | Rd., Time | Date | Location | Notes |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 31-3 |  Michael Frontin |
PTS | 8 | 14 April 2012 |  Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland |
Second, and final, self promoted fight also final fight before 2013 retirement |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 30-3 |  Aleksander Vakhtangashvili |
TKO | 4 (10) | 27 August 2011 | Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland |
First self promoted fight |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 29-3 | Jay Morris |
PTS | 8 | 4 December 2010 | Braehead Arena, Glasgow, Scotland |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 28-3 | Peter McDonagh |
PTS | 8 | 4 September 2010 | Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, Scotland |
|
| style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" | Loss | 27-3 | Nigel Wright |
PTS | 8 | 5 December 2009 | Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle, England |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 27-2 |  Mohamed Benbiou |
TKO | 1 (8) | 19 June 2009 | Bellahouston Sports Centre, Glasgow, Scotland |
|
| style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" | Loss | 26-2 | Nicky Cook |
UD | 12 | 6 September 2008 | M.E.N. Arena, Manchester, England |
For WBO super featherweight title |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 26-1 | Stephen Foster |
UD | 12 | 15 December 2007 | Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland |
Retained interim WBO super featherweight title |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 25-1 |  Koba Gogoladze |
TKO | 10 (12) | 21 July 2007 | International Arena, Cardiff, Wales |
For interim WBO super featherweight title |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 24-1 |  Sergio Palomo |
TKO | 5 (12) | 4 November 2006 | Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, Scotland |
Retained EBU (European) super featherweight title |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 23-1 |  Sergey Gulyakevich |
TD | 7 (12) | 29 April 2006 | Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland |
Retained EBU (European) super featherweight title |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 22-1 | Ricky Burns |
UD | 12 | 18 February 2006 | Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland |
Retained the British, EBU (European) and Commonwealth super featherweight titles |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 21-1 |  Boris Sinitsin |
UD | 12 | 23 July 2005 | Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland |
Won EBU (European) super featherweight title |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 20-1 | Craig Docherty |
KO | 9 (12) | 8 April 2005 | Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland |
For vacant British and Commonwealth super featherweight title |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 19-1 |  Nazareno Gaston Ruiz |
UD | 12 | 3 December 2004 | Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland |
Retained IBF Inter-Continental super featherweight title |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 18-1 |  Eric Odumase |
RTD | 6 (12) | 22 October 2004 | Royal Highland Showground, Edinburgh, Scotland |
Retained IBF Inter-Continental super featherweight title |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 17-1 |  Michael Kizza |
KO | 1 (12) | 27 March 2004 | Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland |
For vacant IBF Inter-Continental super featherweight title |
| style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" | Loss | 16-1 | Michael Gomez |
TKO | 5 (12) | 25 October 2003 | Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland |
Lost both British and WBA Inter-Continental super featherweight title |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 16-0 | Willie Limond |
TKO | 8 (12) | 12 July 2003 | Braehead Arena, Glasgow, Scotland |
Retained British super featherweight title |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 15-0 |  Patrick Malinga |
TKO | 6 (12) | 22 March 2003 | Braehead Arena, Glasgow, Scotland |
For vacant WBA Inter-Continental super featherweight title |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 14-0 | Carl Greaves |
TKO | 6 (12) | 14 December 2002 | Telewest Arena, Newcastle, England |
Retained British super featherweight title |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 13-0 | Steven Conway |
KO | 4 (12) | 19 October 2002 | Braehead Arena, Glasgow, Scotland |
For vacant British super featherweight title |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 12-0 | Pavel Patipko |
KO | 1 (6) | 17 August 2002 | Cardiff Castle, Cardiff, Wales |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 11-0 | Nikolay Eremeev |
RTD | 5 (12) | 8 June 2002 | Braehead Arena, Glasgow, Scotland |
For vacant WBO Inter-Continental super featherweight title |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 10-0 |  Dariusz Snarski |
TKO | 10 (12) | 11 March 2002 | Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, Scotland |
For IBF Inter-Continental super featherweight title |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 9-0 |  Wladimir Borov |
TKO | 2 (8) | 19 January 2002 | York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 8-0 |  Laszlo Bognar |
TKO | 3 (8) | 17 November 2001 | Bellahouston Sports Centre, Glasgow, Scotland |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 7-0 | Alexey Slyauchin |
TKO | 1 (6) | 27 October 2001 | M.E.N. Arena, Manchester, England |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 6-0 | Dmitry Gorodetsky |
TKO | 1 (4) | 15 September 2001 | M.E.N. Arena, Manchester, England |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 5-0 |  Rakhim Mingaleyev |
PTS | 4 | 21 July 2001 | Ponds Forge Arena, Sheffield, England |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 4-0 | Dafydd Carlin |
PTS | 4 | 28 April 2001 | International Arena, Cardiff, Wales |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 3-0 | Woody Greenway |
RTD | 2 (4) | 26 March 2001 | Conference Centre, Wembley, London, England |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 2-0 | Eddie Nevins |
TKO | 1 (4) | 10 February 2001 | Kingsway Leisure Centre, Widnes, England |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" | Win | 1-0 | Richmond Asante |
TKO | 1 (4) | 25 November 2000 | Wythenshawe Forum, Manchester, England |
Professional debut |
References
- ↑ Boxrec profile boxrec.com
- ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/boxing/23060678
- ↑ Boxing results from 25 November 2000
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "AMAZING ALL-ROUND". Boxing Monthly. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
- ↑ "Arthur shrugs off trainer blow". BBC. 15 October 2003. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
- ↑ "Star Profiles - Alex Arthur". ITV. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Julian Wilson. "Boxer of the week - Michael Gomez". Britishboxing.net. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
- ↑ Elliot Worsell. "Britain's most exciting fighters". SecondsOut.com. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
- ↑ Stephen Jones. "Amazing Fighters, Amazing Fight". Braggingrightscorner.com. Archived from the original on 10 June 2007. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
- ↑ BoxingTalk
- ↑ K MacInnes. "This England". New Statesman. Retrieved 13 June 2007.
- ↑ Arthur wins battle of the Scottish Super Featherweights
- ↑ Arthur crowned European Champion
- ↑ BBC Sport | Arthur beats Burns in bruising defence
- ↑ Eastside Boxing | Arthur retains title in fight of the year contender
- ↑ The Scotsman | Arthur awarded belt as Guzman moves up in weight
- ↑ BBC Sport | Arthur fury at judges decision
- ↑ BBC Sport | Impressive Cook outclasses Arthur
- ↑ Daily Record | Alex Arthur admits defeat against Nicky Cook
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 60173. p. 13. 16 June 2012.
External links
- Alex Arthur Promotions
- Alex Arthur Twitter Page
- Alex Arthur Facebook Page
- BoxRec Alex Arthur Boxer - Global ID 32930
- BoxRec Amazing Alex Arthur Promotions - Global ID 575672
| Achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Vacant Title last held by Michael Gomez |
British Junior Lightweight Champion 19 October 2002 - 25 October 2003 |
Succeeded by Michael Gomez |
| Preceded by Craig Docherty |
Commonwealth Junior Lightweight Champion 8 April 2005 - 21 July 2007 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Kevin Mitchell |
| New title | WBO Super Featherweight Champion Interim title 21 July 2007 – 14 May 2008 Promoted |
Vacant Title next held by Orlando Salido |
| Preceded by Joan Guzmán Vacated |
WBO Super Featherweight Champion 14 May 2008 - 9 September 2008 |
Succeeded by Nicky Cook |
| ||||||||||