Alex Arthur will spare a thought for Scott Harrison when he fights Nicky Cook on Saturday.
Scottish fighter's thoughts with former training partner
Alex Arthur will spare a thought for former training buddy Scott Harrison when the Edinburgh man defends his WBO super-featherweight title against Nicky Cook at Manchester's MEN Arena on Saturday night.
As Arthur makes his final preparations to face Cook, Harrison is beginning a jail sentence having been found guilty of drink-driving and assault
Arthur, whose own upbringing was kept in check by his involvement with the church, used to travel from Edinburgh to Glasgow to work with Harrison's father and trainer, Peter Harrison.
"It breaks my heart. I pray for Scott all the time in church," he said.
"I was over the moon when I read an article in which Peter Harrison made some good comments about me.
Upset
"That made me feel very happy. He means a lot to me and I really feel for him.
"It really does upset me and I would like to dedicate a part of this fight to Scott and my pastor Peter Hadden, who isn't well at the moment.
"I started to go to church when my dad went to prison. I was about 10 and went to play for their football team.
"But a boy asked me to go along to boxing and, from then on, I was hooked."
Arthur's benevolence will not stretch to Cook on Saturday night.
The Scotsman said: "I have respect for Nicky, he is up for the fight and he is a good challenger.
"I have been in with guys who have been bigger punchers and more explosive but Nicky is very steady and strong.
"But I can fight someone I respect - I would bash my granny in the ring - and I'm going to win, there's no doubt about that.
"I have been doing between eight and 10 rounds on the pads, throwing 100 punches every round and I feel tremendous."
Cook promised the fans who turn up at the MEN Arena a good night's entertainment.
He said: "It will be a good fight. We both have almost identical records and we will go out to put on a good show for the public."
