Arthur looking for World title shot by Grant Jeans Apr 25th 2006

Alex Arthur's best hopes of a world title shot this year would appear to be via a challenge for the International Boxing Federation's version of the super-featherweight championship after Marco Antonio Barrera's decision to vacate the belt. After the latest updates to the rankings of the four most recognised world governing bodies the IBF route would appear to be the most realistic and quickest route for Edinburgh's reigning European and Commonwealth champion after one takes into consideration the activity surrounding the WBC, WBA and WBO 130 lbs championships. Arthur who will defend his European title against Belarussian Sergey Gulyakevich this Saturday at the Meadowbank Sports Centre remains in third position with the IBF but significantly number one contender Manuel Medina from Mexico will now require a new opponent for a showdown to decide the new champion after compatriot Barrera decided to focus solely on defending his WBC crown. At the moment the IBF number two spot is empty. Scottish fans will remember Medina from his two duels with WBO featherweight champion Scott Harrison in 2003 with Medina winning his fifth world title by split decision first time round and ‘The Real McCoy' making history in halting the rangy Medina in the eleventh round of their rematch to become the first Scot to regain their title. Barrera faces Rocky Juarez on 20th May at the Staples Center, Los Angeles and should he win, loose or draw is likely to step up to lightweight in a bid to become the first Mexican to win world titles in four different weight classes. Barrera was scheduled to challenge another Mexican, Jesus Chavez on 25th March for the IBF 135 lbs title but that bout and consequently the whole show was cancelled after Chavez tore his left bicep. Golden Boy Promotions, who promote Barrera, plan for his second fight of the year to be on the 4th of November at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas with a rematch against Manny Pacquiao a possibility. Pacquiao stopped Barrera in the eleventh round of their clash in November 2003 but the general conception is that Barrera was not properly prepared amid revelations that he had undergone brain surgery in 1997 to remove an abnormal vein and a metal plate was installed to protect the affected area of his skull. Barrera also had to abandon his Big Bear training camp and relocate to Los Angeles due to near by bush fires and there was a parting of ways from his manager. However Philippine Pacquiao is more likely to seek a rubber match with Erik Morales after he fights ex world champion Oscar Larios, also from Mexico and a member of Golden Boy's proficient stable, in his home country on 2nd July. Arthur's chances of a shot at Barrera's WBC belt have severely decreased after the organisation relegated him six places in their rankings to number ten but he can elevate himself again by beating Gulyakevich who is rated at number eight. Another factor in how much longer Barrera will opt to remain at super-featherweight could be the outcome of Joan Guzman's bout with Javier Jauregui on 6th May. Should Guzman, who was scheduled to face Arthur's fellow country man Harrison before manager Jose Nunez decided he could further his charges career by moving him up a weight, win as expected then the Dominican Republican would be in a very strong position with both the WBC and WBO. Golden Boy and Sycuan Ringside Promotions now jointly promote Guzman so it is unlikely Golden Boy President Oscar De La Hoya would want one of his main boxers in Barrera and Guzman, who he once described as “the best featherweight in the world” to clash any time soon. On the Barrera versus Juarez under card Golden Boy's other super-featherweight champion WBO holder Jorge Barrios will meet Janos Nagy. At number four Arthur is rated one position behind Guzman by the WBO and the most likely scenario is that the winner of Barrios versus Nagy will face Guzman should he beat Jauregui. The WBA currently have Arthur ranked in eleventh position and once again the opportunity is there for him to climb the ladder as Gulyakevich is at number nine. WBA champion Vicente Mosquera is rarely mentioned as an opponent for Arthur and the Panamanian has yet to defend the belt he won on this month last year after his last two contests were non title defences. Before ‘Amazing' Arthur can start to think about any challenge for a world title he must first overcome Gulyakevich. Arthur got careless before his only loss in 23 professional contests but he has come a long way with a run of six straight wins since that five round defeat by Michael Gomez and his current position indicates he is edging closer to his dream of becoming world champion.

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great article Apr 26th 2006, 09:14:17 by thetyredoctor well done grant exellent reading davie haggerty the flower of scotland   In-depth analysis Apr 25th 2006, 08:09:50 by oyigbo This is another masterpiece of the sort of in-depth journalism we've come to expect from Grant, his contacts at this level are nothing short of remarkable. In analysing the various routes open to Alex Arthur he has produced a career road map with the accuracy of D.G.P.S. for the Edinburgh maestro.