BoxRec

Press Release

Lyndon Arthur is focused on knocking out Dec Spelman before getting to grips with Anthony Yarde.

The Mancunian makes the first defence of his Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight championship against Spelman (16-3, 8KOs) on Friday July 31 In the third instalment of allegedly’s summer series.

Scunthorpe’s Spelman is one of the toughest 12st 7lb men in Britain and it will be a big ask for Arthur (16-0, 12KOs) to end his challenge inside 12 rounds.

Arthur, 29, hasn’t boxed since last October when he claimed his title by outpointing Ghana’s Emmanuel Anim, who he floored in round four.

Lyndon said: “Dec might have lost a couple of fights, but he leaves it in there and is a tough, come forward fighter, can take a shot and could be in there for the long haul.

“He is rock solid, but he hasn’t been hit off me. He hasn’t been in with anyone who hits as hard as I do. I am looking to knock him out.

“The Anim fight ticked so many boxes for me. I know I am fit and can do 12 rounds without a problem.

“Anyone I had hit before that fight hadn’t got up, but him getting up and pushing me for 12 rounds was a good experience.

“It was nice to get in there with someone who can give me a good fight after being hurt. I adapted well to that situation.

“If I drop Dec and he gets up and pushes me 12 rounds there won’t be any shock on my part this time.

“Boxing behind closed doors will be like an intense spar with little gloves on, trying to knock each other out.”

Arthur had been due to face Yarde this month in a mouthwatering clash, but the coronavirus crisis has forced a delay.

“Not to fight Yarde in July was initially a blow.” said Arthur.

“I have not fought since October last year so it will be good to get out before the Yarde fight.”

Spelman, 28, won the English title last May when he defeated Kirk Garvey, but Shakan Pitters snatched the crown from him back in September.

He knows this a chance to wreck Arthur’s date with Yarde and book himself that fight later this year.

“The chance of fighting Yarde is driving me on massively,” roared Spelman who combines boxing with his day job as a scaffolder.

“Lyndon has the Yarde fight hanging over him, but if I win then I could get that fight and make life-changing money.

“Lyndon has power, but he is also elusive. I am not stupid enough to think I can outbox him.

“I have got to get in his face, rough him up, use my strength. I can whack a bit as well.

“He knows what I am going to do. I am going to meet him in the middle and we will see who comes on top. This fight is a potential banana skin for him.”

On the same bill at BT Sports studio Belfast’s Caoimhin Agyarko (6-0, 3KOs) will get the chance to show his talents as chief support in his first ten-rounder.

Liverpool trio Nick Ball (12-0, 6KOs), Andrew Cain (5-0, 5KOs) and Brad Strand (3-0, 1KO) are all in action, as Ball takes on Jerome Cambell (6-0, 1KO) in a Super-Featherweight clash and Strand tackles Brett Fidoe (13-62-5, 6KO’s) in super-bantam action. Andrew Cain’s opponent will be confirmed shortly.

Good that Arthur has this before Yarde, hope they can remake that if Arthur does well here

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑09 Jul 2020, 15:39 Good that Arthur has this before Yarde, hope they can remake that if Arthur does well here

Wonder if Yarde will be fighting soon.

A good fight and a more realistic test for Arthur than Yarde who I think would stop either of these two early.

Styles should gel well here, Spelman always gives it a go, comes forward and aggressive with decent pop in his punches, after what happened with Westgarth I'd like to see him win the Commonwealth

Arthur coming off the win over Anim to win the title, never had it all his own way though and switched off too often and was hurt in the fight, still he dug in when it mattered and deserved the W, you wouldn't advise switching off against Spelman though as he's capable of taking advantage, still fancy Arthur on points, carries pop himself and probably a level above Spelman

Another FW card before Matchroom hits the show..

Arthur will need to be much better than last time out.

I remember Spelman getting decked and hurt in the 1st of the Ultimate Boxxer final from Pitters so he can be reckless, if Arthur nails him early it could be quick, if not you know Spelman's gonna be steaming in

good be tricky fight for arthur he has a flicky out jab work rate maybe not the best, dec will put it on him from the first bell and has a chance i reckon arthur has a big right , close if dec had more power i would fancy him, but got to lean to arthur cause he has the power

handsofstone wrote: ↑29 Jul 2020, 15:53 I remember Spelman getting decked and hurt in the 1st of the Ultimate Boxxer final from Pitters so he can be reckless, if Arthur nails him early it could be quick, if not you know Spelman's gonna be steaming in

well thats it, you can see dec walking in to a big right, its just how he takes it and how many he takes

Don't underestimate Spelman, he's tough, game and strong enough to give skilled boxers trouble when he's on song. Arthur's a clear favourite but he definitely needs to bring his A game.

Full Card (ESPN+, 3:00 pm ET)

Lyndon Arthur (16-0, 12 KO) vs Dec Spelman (16-3, 8 KO), light heavyweights, 12 rounds

Caoimhin Agyarko (6-0, 3 KO) vs Jez Smith (11-1-1, 5 KO), middleweights, 10 rounds

Nick Ball (12-0, 6 KO) vs Jerome Campbell (6-0, 1 KO), junior lightweights, 6 or 8 rounds

Andrew Cain (5-0, 5 KO) vs Ed Harrison (1-3, 0 KO), featherweights, 4 or 6 rounds

Brad Strand (3-0, 1 KO) vs Brett Fidoe (13-62-5, 6 KO), junior featherweights, 4 or 6 rounds

Does this start at 7pm in the UK?

yup Cain walking on now...
I'll guess KO2

Just got it going, ring announcements...

Cain mad for it, head full of steam, needs to calm down and pick his punches...

Harrison's no mug.

Cain straight on my “watch every fight” list.

Can anyone else hear that ringtone what keeps going?

whos caines trainer any one know

Delta Jay wrote: ↑31 Jul 2020, 14:29 Cain straight on my “watch every fight” list.

Can anyone else hear that ringtone what keeps going?

For some reason I can hear the bell 5 seconds before it rings, it happened at the 10 bell tribute for Rab Bannon and it was happening during the fight, same with ring music

handsofstone wrote: ↑31 Jul 2020, 14:34

Delta Jay wrote: ↑31 Jul 2020, 14:29 Cain straight on my “watch every fight” list.

Can anyone else hear that ringtone what keeps going?

For some reason I can hear the bell 5 seconds before it rings, it happened at the 10 bell tribute for Rab Bannon and it was happening during the fight, same with ring music

Me too, odd.

Cainster looks a fun fighter

Cain was pretty good once he settled down.
Needs another 5 fights at least, but surely he's got at least a British in him..

handsofstone wrote: ↑31 Jul 2020, 14:34

Delta Jay wrote: ↑31 Jul 2020, 14:29 Cain straight on my “watch every fight” list.

Can anyone else hear that ringtone what keeps going?

For some reason I can hear the bell 5 seconds before it rings, it happened at the 10 bell tribute for Rab Bannon and it was happening during the fight, same with ring music

I got the same.

Cain will do well a division or two lower. He seems to want to step right down 3 divisions. Probably needs to calm down a touch he was like a spring that had been coiled right the way up in there.

Think he broke the guys nose to cause the stoppage in the corner.