Arthur to get title shot

Arthur: Class operator

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Scotland's Alex Arthur is to finally get a world title shot after promoter Frank Warren secured the rights to stage a fight with WBO super-featherweight champion Joan Guzman.

Warren won the purse bids held at the governing body's Puerto Rico headquarters on Thursday, with his bid of 280,000 US dollars (£140,000) seeing off Guzman's own promoters, Sycuan Ringside.

A date and venue for the contest have yet to be announced, although April in the Ediniburgh fighter's homeland has been mentioned as a possibility.

Arthur already holds the 'interim' WBO title because of Guzman's indecision about whether to move up a weight division.

Delight

And the 29-year-old is delighted he will have a chance to win the belt outright against the reigning champion.

"Frank has done a fantastic job winning the purse bids and securing home advantage for me in this mega-fight against Guzman," Arthur said.

"I'm really, really, excited by the challenge in front of me.

"It's a chance to prove what I have always believed - that I belong in world-class company and will be world champion.

"It will be a hard task but I'm confident of winning and bringing another world title belt to Great Britain."

Warren added: "This year is looking to be one of the best ever for British boxing in terms of big fights.

"With (Enzo) Maccarinelli v (David) Haye and (Joe) Calzaghe v (Bernard) Hopkins in the coming months and now Arthur v Guzman, it is a boxing fan's dream.

"I have done the job of getting Alex the fight on home turf, now it is down to him to do the business in the ring - which I'm sure he will do.

"It's a big assignment but Alex is a class operator and will be thoroughly prepared on the night."