Sport

Arthur declared WBO champ
by Mark Doyle, 15 May 2008

Arthur: champion

Alex Arthur has been crowned WBO super-featherweight champion after Joan Guzman elected to give up his title.

Arthur had been scheduled to challenge Guzman for the belt in Edinburgh on May 3 but the bout was delayed after the latter failed to secure a visa in time.

Guzman has now revealed that he is vacating his strap to step up to lightweight, resulting in the WBO deciding to upgrade Arthur from interim champion to outright champion.

"I'm delighted with the decision by the WBO to give me full world champion status but I felt that I won the title when I beat Koba Gogoladze last July," the Scot stated.

"I'm confident that I would have beaten Guzman had the fight been rescheduled but I believe that I am among the elite super-featherweights and want to prove myself as the best out there.

"But I'm proud to be Edinburgh's first world champion for 30 years, and am looking forward to making the first defence of my title.

"My reign now begins!"

Meanwhile, Arthur's promoter, Frank Warren, is overjoyed by the WBO's ruling.

"Britain has lost a few of its world champions over the last few months but we have got one back with Alex now declared as world champion," the Sports Network boss enthused.

"I believe he will be a long-term world champion. I'm working hard at the moment to deliver a new date and challenger for Alex."

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Comments

matthew - 24 May 2008 11:16: wasn't arthur going to pull out anyway? i thought it was setanta who leaked the "mischeivous story" i nthe first place. come on, alex & his promoter wanted a vacant title. the belt isn't really credible but there's be lots of good british fights all of a sudden.; Report this to a moderator

I Am Spartacus - 17 May 2008 10:25: Shame the fight didn't happen, it would've great to see but as much as i like Arthur he couldn't win it. Guzman is too fast, too strong, too slick, too everything. The good thing is lightweight is even more interesting now, Guzman, Pacquiao, Campbell, Diaz, Cassamayor, and its got Amir Khan and Yuri Romanov coming up too.; Report this to a moderator

scubasteve - 16 May 2008 09:00: im raging , i had floor seats for this fight! what the hell am i ment to do with them now?; Report this to a moderator

Mickey T - 15 May 2008 23:04: Guzman didnt fancy coming to a country he doesnt know anything about and getting shafted to a home town decision, Guzman outboxes Arthur every day of the week, its not even close, i like Arthur but he wouldnt have stood a chance.; Report this to a moderator

ewen - 15 May 2008 16:45: thanks guzman you chicken. fans robbed of a cracken fight. arthur v mitchell surely; Report this to a moderator

sean - 15 May 2008 16:21: guzman is a punk; Report this to a moderator

Guy - 15 May 2008 15:07: Was the fight postpoaned 'cos Guzman couldn't make the weight?was he worried of Arthur in his weakened state that he might lose then his stock goes down ,paydays etc?; Report this to a moderator

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