Arthur inspired by Watt

Arthur: Clean-living

ARTHUR v COOK
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9pm, Saturday, September 6
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Alex Arthur has revealed that Sky Sports pundit Jim Watt has been an inspiration in the run-up to Saturday's domestic world title dust-up with Nicky Cook.

Edinburgh's Arthur has overcome a difficult upbringing to become a shining light in Scottish boxing, and will defend his WBO super-featherweight title for second time at the MEN Arena.

Boxing heroes north of the border have found it notoriously difficult to deal with the fame and adulation that comes with success, with the notable exception of Glasgow-born Watt.

And the former world lightweight champion met up with Arthur at a recent press conference - much to the delight of the 30-year-old.

"Jim said to me, 'Alex, you look absolutely brilliant. I've never seen you look so good before a fight. I think you are on the ball'. That meant the world to me," Arthur said.

"He is a guy that you have to look up to in Scottish boxing. Let's be honest, in the past, we've failed miserably in terms of lifestyles, fame and money and Jim is the only one to succeed and to succeed royally.

"Every time I see him he looks better and that is going to be Alex Arthur one day. I'm determined not to end up a hard-luck story.

Dedication

"I'm a good living guy, a good family man and I have put a lot of dedication into my career and I believe I will reap the rewards for that, definitely."

Benny Lynch and Ken Buchanan and most recently with former WBO featherweight champion Scott Harrison all failed to cope with their success.

But Arthur insisted his 'clean living' has helped him get to the top of the tree.

"I have studied boxing since I was a wee boy and noticed how some boxers went by the wayside and lost everything they had and I'm not going to allow that to happen to Alex Arthur," he continued.

"Things weren't easy for me growing up, my dad was a violent criminal and caused a lot of trouble for me and all my family.

"After I became a successful amateur boxing he went straight.

"We grew up in a one-bedroom flat and now I've got a three-bedroom house with a Mercedes in the drive.

"Sometimes it doesn't seem real but I have to remember how I got that. I got it because I sweated and I bled and trained like an animal."