Capital awaits big title clash by Ronnie McCluskey Apr 6th 2005

The biggest all-Scottish fight in thirty years is almost upon us. Craig "Hot Property" Docherty and "Amazing" Alex Arthur put their reputations on the line in the quest to become, on paper at least, the best super-featherweight in Britain. Edinburgh's Meadowbank Arena plays host to the Tartan tearaways, a venue which will no doubt be pro-Arthur, and may well swing the tide in favour of the local hero. Having said that, on Friday night there will only be two men in the ring. Both fiercely proud and patriotic, this is a bout which really needs no hyping or introductions. Two warriors, in every sense of the word, and two of the finest Scottish boxers since Croy flyweight Pat Clinton, and before him Jim Watt and Ken Buchanan. In one corner we have Craig Docherty, 18-2-1, a strong body-puncher from Glasgow. On the other Alex Arthur, 19-1, the consummate boxer and supremely confident former British champion. So who wins it? As Tommy Gilmour says, this fight is all about who can hold their head highest walking down the streets of Glasgow, or Princes Street. Who's the baddest on the block? Craig Docherty and Alex Arthur's paths have crossed before. They were on the same team in the 1998 Commonwealth Games, which saw Docherty leave early and empty handed and Arthur pick up Gold. They have sparred before, and speak pretty fondly of each other, when asked. However, this match-up is now on the horizon - a glitzy clash which Arthur and Doc used to talk over, and joke about. "We'll fight one day," Arthur would say, half-serious. Few knew that years down the line, the two would be staring across the ring at their foe. We all know the pair will fight till the bloody end. Arthur showed his heart and machismo in his gritty battle with Mad Michael Gomez, and Glaswegian Docherty's scrap with Abdul Malik Jabir seperated the men from the boys. This is a fight which wont be determined on heart, but skill. Both have reserves from which they can draw, if the going gets tough, but who has the style to negate the others? Will it be Arthur's sharp, pinpoint jab and move style or Docherty's rough-house, but systematic pressure to the body? Its the million dollar question. Another factor which will determine this fight is stamina, and conditioning. Docherty lacked spark last time out, yet Arthur did 12 rounds easily against Nazareno Gaston Ruiz. Will that be the decider? Or was that a simple case of Sinitsin spoiling, and ruining Craig's best efforts? For my money, both men will come into this contest 100% fit and raring to go. They can't afford not to be. The slightest fault in training will be exposed to the world on April 8th, so we will soon find out if either has been cutting corners. The Arthur-Docherty clash, dubbed as "For A Few Dollars More!" will provide another battle - whose fans can sing the loudest! Patriotic Edinburgh fans and the Glaswegian faithful look set to compete in a battle to roar the roof off, and spur their man on to come out victorious. Arthur's arch-rival Michael Gomez also looks set to put in an appearence, and has done little to hide his presence in the build up. Gomez recently predicted a win for Arthur, whom he says "hits too hard for Docherty." Whoever is victorious though, 'Mad' Mike looks sure to face them for the British title later this year. Alex Arthur and Craig Docherty are on the opposite sides of the spectrum, where style and developement are concerned. Arthur is more of a technical boxer, with one-punch power, whereas Doc is a solid little pro, who boasts few glaring weaknesses of faults. Arthur has the speed, but Craig may well have the style to get on the inside, and bust the self-proclaimed 'Golden Boy' up. We'll soon see. It looks set to catch fire and burn into an inferno. 'East vs. West 2' has already eclipsed the build-up and hype of the Willie Limond-Arthur anticlimax in 2002, and it also looks certain to be more competitive. Docherty brings his Commonwealth strap to Meadowbank, and the British championship awaits the winner. Will Craig pick up the lauded belt on the rebound of the Sinitsin disappointment, or will Arthur underline his intentions to avenge his loss to Michael Gomez? We'll find out on Friday night, and the whole of Scotland will be watching!

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