Clydebank's Gary McArthur has sold half of the 1,000 tickets for Saturday night's Chris Gilmour promoted show in the “Playdrome” to underscore his personal popularity. McArthur confirmed that he has sold close to 500 tickets through hard graft after having put the squeeze on several hundred of his contacts. He said: "I have a big black book containing details of between 500 and 600 contacts and I text them all as soon as I know I am fighting”.
"There is a tremendous community spirit in Clydebank and I like to think I epitomise that sense of togetherness.
"The people of the town come out to support me and the atmosphere at my fights is similar to what you get at a world championship bout.
"Maybe not all of them are huge boxing fans but they are still fully behind me because people can see that I have done well for myself, and maybe that gives them hope that they can achieve something themselves in times of adversity.
"I have dug deep to try to do something with my life after having been in the odd spot of bother as a kid, and I am proud to be associated with my fellow Bankies."
Tommy Gilmour said, "It will enhance the sport in general if we can get people back into the habit of turning out to watch good local fighters involved in quality bouts at reasonable prices.
"Gary has turned down the chance to appear on Sky television shows in the past because he wants to be the centre of attraction in his home town, and the fact is he earns more than we would from TV because of his tremendous pulling power."
Such is the popularity of the southpaw in the home of shipbuilding on the Clyde, that were there to be a bigger venue for boxing in Clydebank, he'd undoubtedly fill that too.
McArthur boxes Henry Jones of Pembroke in defence of the British Masters lightweight title and should keep up his unbeaten run with its retention on points.