BoxRec

ALEX Arthur’s hopes of making a quick return to champion status have been hit by the confirmation that Glasgow rival Craig Docherty has been installed as the leading contender by the European Boxing Union for that organisation’s super-featherweight title.

Arthur, from Edinburgh, had hoped to face Docherty in a showdown for the British Championship after the pair were nominated to fight for the vacant crown following Michael Gomez’s elevation to world champion status.

But Docherty’s manager has elected to aim the 24-year-old Commonwealth super-featherweight champion at the European version, and the Glasgow promoter has set the wheels in motion to bring the bout against champion Boris Sinitsin, from Russia, to the Kelvin Hall, probably in September.

The EBU has not thrown the title fight open to purse bids yet, but Tommy Gilmour revealed yesterday: "I am looking to do a deal with Sinitsin’s people to bring the fight to Glasgow and I’m confident that I’ll be successful in that aim. This is a marvellous opportunity for Craig and one I’m convinced he’ll grab with both hands."

I'm glad Docherty's decided to take this route rather than fight Arthur straight away. If he manages to win this title it'll give him a decent bargining chip for a fight with Arthur. Hopefully that's the plan, because i for one would love to see these two in the ring.

It also might do Arthur some good to sit out in the cold for a little while. Being stopped in 5 rounds and then winning in 1 against a hopelessly overmatched opponent shouldn't secure anyone a British title shot.

It won't be easy but it's definitely a fight Docherty can win to make it 5 European champions from Britain (Witter is a forgone conclusion).

Not bad going. 4 of those champs are BBC fighters too.

Definately winnable, I have seen saw Sinitsin dethrone Djelti and he was little fortunate. It looked set to be another successful defence for the old man, but Djelti just crumbled in the minute of the fight.

Compare that to Djelti's last successful defence against a Frenchman with an average record, this is where Djelti looked booked for defeat when Bang, one punch changed the fight.

Djelti is finally starting to show some wear and tear, but I would tip him to beat Sinitsin in a rematch (which for me, he deserves after being such an outstanding champion). I think Docherty will win.