Arthur Decisions Foster

World Boxing Organization super featherweight interim champion Alex Arthur (26-1, 19 KOs) narrowly defeated Stephen Foster (23-2, 16 KOs) on Saturday night at the Meadowbank Sports Centre, in Edinburgh, Scotland. The final judges’ scores were 114-111, 114-111 and 113-112. Both fighters were down, with Foster being knocked down in the 9th and Arthur going down in the 11th round.

Foster appeared to win the first five rounds of the fight, using his aggressive charging style to keep Arthur on his back heels and in a defensive mode. Foster, however, was docked a point for a headbutt in round six, and from then until the 11th round, Arthur took charge of the fight. Foster still attacked as he did in the early rounds, but he seemed to have much less energy, and success, in his attacks. In the 11th round, Foster hit Arthur with a clubbing right hand, sending him backpedaling to the ropes where Foster sent him down.

However, Foster was unable to follow up with with any significant shots after Arthur made it up, and spent most of the round throwing harmless body shots rather than focusing on Arthur’s chin. In the 12th and final round, both fighters went at it toe-to-toe with both taking turns trading big shots. Foster, though, finished the round strong winging powerful hooks and backing Arthur up.