WBO interim super-featherweight champion Alex Arthur will defend his title on December 15 against Steve Foster Jr in a mouth-watering Battle of Britain. Arthur makes the first defence of the interim crown at the Meadowbank Arena, Edingburgh, after he won the title against Koba Gogoladze in July..
And he will be looking to cement his position on the world stage as he waits to see whether full champion Joan Guzman intends to keep his WBO belt.
But Foster is keen on springing a surprise.
The former amateur star is the first English opponent Arthur has faced since he lost to Michael Gomez in a British title fight four years ago.
And like Gomez, Foster hails from the North West – Salford to Gomez’s Manchester – and is a come forward pressure fighter with a terrific left hook.
He scored a crushing first round victory over Jean Marie Codet at York Hall over the weekend, and although he has been based at featherweight for most of his career, says a recent move to 9’4 has worked wonders.
The 27-year-old, a former WBU featherweight champion, is now 23-1 (16), while Arthur, two years older at 29, is 25-1 (19).
” Steve is a quality fighter and a very dangerous puncher, one of the biggest I’ve faced,” said Arthur. “I’ve got so much respect for him.
” There’s always something a bit special about facing someone from the domestic scene in a big title fight, and I’m sure the atmosphere at the Meadowbank will be incredible.
” If I’m going to establish myself on the world scene then these are the type of fights I need to be winning.”
Foster, who comes into the fight off the back of two crushing KO victories, insists that he has the firepower to upset the Scotsman.
” I’m punching so much harder now I’ve not got to make featherweight,” said Foster.
” When I fought Codet at featherweight he took me eight rounds and I couldn’t get him out of there.
” But at super-featherweight I had him down three times in the first round.
” The difference was unbelievable, and it all stems from not having to make weight any more.
” I’ll start this fight the underdog, but that suits me to be honest. I’m going to win the fight on December 15, and Alex Arthur is in for a huge surprise.
” I’ve got so much respect for Alex, who is a great champion, but this is my chance to crack the big time and I’m not going to let it slip.”
Promoter Frank Warren said: “This is a great fight between two great fighters, and it could be as good as Arthur-Gomez, if not better. We’ve got two fantastic punchers and anything could happen.”
An action packed undercard will include former Commonwealth lightweight champion Willie Limond, two-time British title challenger Ricky Burns, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Kenny Anderson – who makes his Edinburgh debut – and the long-awaited showdown between Kell Brook and Gary Young.
Meadowbank ticket prices are:
£ 100 – Ringside
£ 75 – Floor
£ 50 – Floor
£ 40 – Tier
Agents:
See Tickets – 0870 060 3794
Ticket Scotland – 0131 220 6227
Meadowbank Leisure Centre – 0131 661 5351