Alex Arthur faces the toughest test of his career when he tackles Joan Guzman on May 3 – but is backing massive Edinburgh support to ensure he is victorious. The Scotsman challenges Guzman for the full WBO super-featherweight title, and knows he has got his work cut out against one of the best fighters in the world. But interim WBO champion Arthur, 26-1 (19) says his home fans could be the key to victory, as the super fight goes ahead at the Meadowbank Arena, Edinburgh..
” With my fans behind me I know I can beat Guzman and prove that I belong at world level,” said the 29-year-old Edinburgh ace.
” Make no mistake, Guzman is a dangerous customer and he fully deserves his reputation as one of the pound for pound greats.
” The bookies will have me as a pre-fight underdog, but that doesn’t bother me – I know I’ve got the beating of him.
” I’ve already been training hard for the fight, and the atmosphere in Edinburgh around fight week is going to be incredible.
” I’ve had some wonderful nights at the Meadowbank, and hearing the roar of the fans helped me defeat Steve Foster in December.”
Arthur, a former European, Commonwealth and British champion, also hit back at disrespectful comments Guzman has been making in the build up to the showdown.
” He reckons that fighting me will be easy money, but I’m going to give him hell for every single penny he earns,” said Arthur.
” I’ve never been so fired up for a fight in all my life. It’s been my dream to fight the best in the world, and now I’ve got the chance to prove myself, I’ll take it with both hands.”
Promoter Frank Warren added: “I’m delighted that I have been able to deliver a super fight for Alex in his own backyard, and I’m sure it will be a very special occasion.”
Born in the Dominican Republic, 31-year-old Guzman is 28-0 (17) and is a former WBO super-bantamweight champion, as well as being the current WBO super-featherweight king.
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Tickets priced £40, £50, £75, £100 and £150 are available from the Meadowba nk on 0131 661 5351, See Tickets on 0871 220 0260, Alex Arthur Snr on 07855703216 and Ticket Scotland on 0131 220 6227.
Sycuan Ringside Promotions Signs Joan Guzman
Sycuan Ringside Promotions announced today that World Boxing Organization (WBO) 130-Pound Champion Joán Guzman has signed a multi-fight-multimillion dollar contract with their promotional company..
Guzman, currently in Las Vegas, Nev., is preparing for his title defense against interim champion Alex Arthur on April 26, 2008. The fight, which is being promoted by Frank Warren of Sports Network after having won the WBO purse bid, will take place in Edinburgh, Scotland, at a venue to be determined.
“I am thrilled to continue to be a part of the Sycuan family, “Guzman said. “I was the first fighter signed by Sycuan Ringside Promotions. They have been a key component to the Guzman team and have brought me to this important point in my career. I am confident we will win another championship together. Many people thought I would walk away from them, but the cynics fail to remember that I am the ‘Sycuan Warrior’.”
In Guzman’s last fight he successfully defended his WBO crown by scoring a 12-round unanimous decision over Humberto Soto on Nov. 17, 2007; at Bally’s in Atlantic City, N.J. Guzman won a unanimous decision with the judges scoring 118-110 and 117-111 twice on the scorecards.
Guzman’s manager, Jose Nuñez said, “I am very pleased and satisfied that Joan signed a major promotional deal with Sycuan Ringside Promotions. We have worked closely since the beginning with Glenn Quiroga, Willie Tucker, Scott Woodworth and Sean Gibbons. I am confident they will take Joan to the super fights and make him a household name, which is what he wants,” added Nuñez.
“We are proud that Guzman has signed again with Sycuan Ringside Promotions,” said Scott Woodworth, Sycuan’s vice president of boxing. “Glenn Quiroga, Willie Tucker, Sean Gibbons and I are very proud to have been able to offer him a multi-fight, multi-million dollar agreement that he was happy to sign. Joan Guzman and Jose Nuñez know that Sycuan has Joan’s best interest at heart and we will continue to do everything necessary for him to realize his dreams which he is so capable of doing.”
Sycuan Ringside Promotions–the first Native American-owned boxing promotional company, made its promotional debut in 2004. Sycuan Ringside Promotions is headquartered in San Diego, Calif. and led by Glenn Quiroga, president; Willie Tucker, executive vice president; and Scott Woodworth, vice president.
Sycuan Ringside Promotions has many notable boxers in its stable, including undefeated World Boxing Organization junior lightweight champion Joan Guzman, World Boxing Council super bantamweight champion Israel Vazquez, former International Boxing Federation lightweight champion Julio Diaz, World Boxing Association super bantamweight champion Celestino Caballero, former WBC welterweight champion Carlos Baldomir, teenage super lightweight sensation Jorge Paez Jr. and undefeated cruiserweight prospect Shawn Hawk.