No rematch with Gomez says Arthur
Posted: 28 Oct 2003, 10:34
DEFEATED British super featherweight champion Alex Arthur has dismissed out of hand any talk of a rematch with his conqueror, Michael Gomez.
The 25-year-old is claiming that, despite the heartache of losing his British title to the Manchester-based Gomez, he is no longer interested in pursuing domestic honours.
Said Arthur: "I see myself right now in exactly the same position that my Edinburgh hero Ken Buchanan was in when he lost his first attempt to win a European lightweight title in Spain [in 1970].
"People wrote Ken off after that defeat yet six months later he won the world title in America. I’m not saying I’ll do that but I’ve finished with the British title so any talk of a rematch between Gomez and myself is complete nonsense."
A defiant Arthur also had a message for anyone who may doubt his credentials after his fifth-round defeat. He said: "Of course I’m still hurting at losing my crown to Michael Gomez but to the knockers who no doubt will be trying to write me off I would point out that, despite the fact I wasn’t 100 per cent, I still hurt Gomez and won two rounds."
Arthur has also blasted claims that he rejected an offer from manager Frank Maloney to be part of his corner team during last Saturday’s defeat.
Said Arthur: "The word rejected is too strong and gives a totally wrong picture. Frank Maloney did mention the possibility of being part of my corner team but there was no snub intended at all.
"The truth is Frank hasn’t been in my corner during fights for any of my previous 15 ring battles so I didn’t really see any reason for him to be in the corner this time around. But talk of snub is absolute nonsense."
Nor is Arthur considering a suggestion from his informal adviser, Irish ex-WBA featherweight champion Barry McGuigan, that he should abandon the super featherweights and box as a lightweight.
He added: "Right now I just want to have a long rest , spend some good time with my partner Debbie and my son Alex and plan my comeback. My aim is to follow Ken Buchanan and follow up a defeat by eventually challenging for a world title. I still believe that I’m good enough to do that."
Regarding the speculation he is to ditch American coach Freddie Roach and present corner team, Arthur said: "It’s too early to talk about that yet. I’ll have a chat with Freddie and clarify the situation before I make any decisions."
The 25-year-old is claiming that, despite the heartache of losing his British title to the Manchester-based Gomez, he is no longer interested in pursuing domestic honours.
Said Arthur: "I see myself right now in exactly the same position that my Edinburgh hero Ken Buchanan was in when he lost his first attempt to win a European lightweight title in Spain [in 1970].
"People wrote Ken off after that defeat yet six months later he won the world title in America. I’m not saying I’ll do that but I’ve finished with the British title so any talk of a rematch between Gomez and myself is complete nonsense."
A defiant Arthur also had a message for anyone who may doubt his credentials after his fifth-round defeat. He said: "Of course I’m still hurting at losing my crown to Michael Gomez but to the knockers who no doubt will be trying to write me off I would point out that, despite the fact I wasn’t 100 per cent, I still hurt Gomez and won two rounds."
Arthur has also blasted claims that he rejected an offer from manager Frank Maloney to be part of his corner team during last Saturday’s defeat.
Said Arthur: "The word rejected is too strong and gives a totally wrong picture. Frank Maloney did mention the possibility of being part of my corner team but there was no snub intended at all.
"The truth is Frank hasn’t been in my corner during fights for any of my previous 15 ring battles so I didn’t really see any reason for him to be in the corner this time around. But talk of snub is absolute nonsense."
Nor is Arthur considering a suggestion from his informal adviser, Irish ex-WBA featherweight champion Barry McGuigan, that he should abandon the super featherweights and box as a lightweight.
He added: "Right now I just want to have a long rest , spend some good time with my partner Debbie and my son Alex and plan my comeback. My aim is to follow Ken Buchanan and follow up a defeat by eventually challenging for a world title. I still believe that I’m good enough to do that."
Regarding the speculation he is to ditch American coach Freddie Roach and present corner team, Arthur said: "It’s too early to talk about that yet. I’ll have a chat with Freddie and clarify the situation before I make any decisions."
Arthur fails to realise that his loss and Buchanan's Spanish loss are different in every way. Buchanan lost a CLOSE 15 rounds decision in SPAIN for the EUROPEAN title. Arthur was battered in his home city by a 28-5 last chance saloon brawler in unquestionable circumstances, i know that may sound a little harsh to the parties involved but that's the way i see it. This may sound alarmist but i think Arthur was found out big time and his problems and weaknesses there for all to see, i think his prospects as a major force on the world scene are as good as finished before they even began. And before i get bollocked by other posters, i admit before the Gomez fight i was a believer, i thought Arthur was destined for the very top.