BoxRec

Whilst his performance on Friday was Superb (the fight was too one sided to be called great IMO). I am just wandering what you would do if you were managing Arthur now. I don't think he will be around at Super Feather for much longer, would you step him up and go for a Barrios or maybe a geniune world champ at Super Feather, would you take on Sinistin first of all and see how long he can make this devision.

Or would you move him to Lightweight, in which the devision is exciting both domestically, it is also more exciting at world level (if he is good enough to become the #1 Lightweight in the UK first off all).

I'd be tempting for him to go for any of the geniune world champions at Super Feather (excluding Marco) pretty much now. I think he is ready. If you compare Arthur's performance over Docherty with that of Sinistin (who is fringe world class) then you have to heavily back Arthur in that match.

stujones wrote:Whilst his performance on Friday was Superb (the fight was too one sided to be called great IMO). I am just wandering what you would do if you were managing Arthur now. I don't think he will be around at Super Feather for much longer, would you step him up and go for a Barrios or maybe a geniune world champ at Super Feather, would you take on Sinistin first of all and see how long he can make this devision.

Or would you move him to Lightweight, in which the devision is exciting both domestically, it is also more exciting at world level (if he is good enough to become the #1 Lightweight in the UK first off all).

I'd be tempting for him to go for any of the geniune world champions at Super Feather (excluding Marco) pretty much now. I think he is ready. If you compare Arthur's performance over Docherty with that of Sinistin (who is fringe world class) then you have to heavily back Arthur in that match.

I wouldnt rush him to a world title shot.

I'd keep him at super feather, and go for the europen title, make a defence or two, and some money and then try and get a shot at a world title in late 2006

I agree with Graham assuming that Arthur is still 'comfortable' at Super-Featherweight. Arthur looked good against Docherty but in my opinion he is not world class yet and should look to get a European title fight and defend that about 3 times then look at his option.

If he really can't make 9st 4lbs anymore a move up to Lightweight would open up some interesting fights at domestic level with the likes of Cook, Thaxton, Murrey, Earl and Bennett etc.

Yeah, agree. I think his performance against Docherty was his best ever, and as long as he doesn't struggle to make the weight, I think he should beat Sinitsin, and I think Nagy the Hungarian would be his 1st defence. AND! Convieniently enough, Nagy is #4 by IBF with Arthur at #10. Robbie Peden certainly the most beatable of the 3 major title holders IMO. I don't think Arthur should rush things tho.

Thoughts on whats next for Docherty? It may be a bit high risk, but a fight with Limmond - even Gomez II???

P.S. has sicknote called arthur out yet?

If Arthur vacates one of his titles I agree that Docherty vs Limond is a fair matchup for the vacant Title.

One thing that did annoy me a little of Friday was the Arthur was the one announced last - the only champion before Friday was Craig Docherty - he was the Commonwealth champ, the British belt was vacant.

I think Docherty would have too much for Limond, but a good fight. Another Scot in the equation has to be young Ricky Burns.

The only reason why I say rush him, is because I'm not sure he can win a world title at Lightweight and I don't know how long he has left at Super Feather. Perhaps the weigh in was just a slight calculation error - he didn't box like a weight drained fighter, but is tall for the weight.

Apparently the reason Arthur was late for the weigh-in was because his car was held up in Holyrood Park (a winding scenic road at the bottom of Arthur's seat - I'm setting the scene here, because...) the police stopped him to let a bunch of swans cross the road. :)

I'd have him take Sinitsin, have one defence, then maybe a rematch with Gomez if he is still around for score settlings sake. Then go for a title at super feather if he is still capable of making the weight and by this time Scott Harrison will probably of taken a hiding from one of the top names at featherweight and be looking for a move up to super feather, should Arthur be succesful at winning the title, have an all Scotland world title fight between Arthur and Harrison which would be a cracker.

I also see an aging Arthur in domestic bouts with Kevin Mitchell and Amir Khan in the far future.

Arthur KOs Sinitsin in 7

Arthur KOs Gomez in 10 after a few nervy moments

Harrison KOs Arthur in 11 - Arthur has his moments but fails to cope with the prolonged aggression of Harrison

Arthur KOs a more mature Mitchell in 5

I don't think Arthur will KO Sinistin.

Cannibal - I doubt Mitchell will ever be mature......

I'd like to see Arthur push for a European title shot against Sinitson.

I thought Alex looked back to his best.

From Friday performance I think he would win Euro title on points.

No point fighting Gomez. Gomez need to move up to lightweight he struggled badly last time out.

Don't agree that there is no point in fighting Gomez, last time out (only 18 months ago if that) Gomez smashed the phuck out of him. To me he needs that win on his ledger, I didn't like all that 'Gomez has nothing to offer' talk.

I'm no Gomez fan but the Manc battered him. Yes he might have lost since but not to Arthur or anybody Arthur has fought so we could compare.

It wasn't even a one punch KO like the defeats Lennox Lewis (for example) suffered which you could put an argument forward were flukes, he got beaten up for 5 rounds.

If I were Arthur (which I clearly am not) I would want nothing else but Michael Gomez standing in the other corner next time out.

Goz wrote:Don't agree that there is no point in fighting Gomez, last time out (only 18 months ago if that) Gomez smashed the phuck out of him. To me he needs that win on his ledger, I didn't like all that 'Gomez has nothing to offer' talk.

I'm no Gomez fan but the Manc battered him. Yes he might have lost since but not to Arthur or anybody Arthur has fought so we could compare.

It wasn't even a one punch KO like the defeats Lennox Lewis (for example) suffered which you could put an argument forward were flukes, he got beaten up for 5 rounds.

If I were Arthur (which I clearly am not) I would want nothing else but Michael Gomez standing in the other corner next time out.

That's the way I see it too. In fact, I was going to compare Arthur's defeat to a MD/SD in another thread, but your Lennox Lewis example states the same point: Arthur's defeat was a complete defeat. If he had lost to Gomez close on points, or even by one punch KO, I can see a case for not having a rematch. As it stands, he has everything to gain... but also everything to lose if he gets in with Gomez again.

A win against Sinistin - which I think has a good chance of happening - would give him the prestigious belt and the adoration of millions of TV marks, but to me, that only proves what I already know: that Arthur is a very good boxer.

I want to find out if he is a very good fighter. The threat of exposure will always hang over him, otherwise.

I agree he should take on Gomez - he's got a score to settle there, and a revenge win would look great on the record, plus give him some real confidence going into Europe.
Must annoy the hell out of him to see a sneering Gomez at every one of his fights.

Wasn't there talk awhile back about him taking on the WBO champ Mike Anchondo? Looking back, that was a fight he might have won...course if he'd managed it, he'd have to face the fearsome Argie next up - not a fight he needs right now.

Barrios v Anchondo is on CH 5 tomorrow night BTW

Ah, cheers for that, must record that one. I fancied Barrios to win, but not in such a one-sided manner. Barrios strikes me as the In-Jin Chi of the division. Everyone always goes on about how limited he is, but beating him is easier said than done.