CRASHING WEIGHT
Paul Wheeler speaks to a decorated Scotsman about the one that got away
‘I was 175lbs and I had a six-pack.’ And so the quest to make 130 begins
NOT many fighters can say that they held British, Commonwealth, European and world titles, but Edinburgh’s Alex Arthur is one of them. Here, the former super-featherweight, who retired with a record of 31-3 (21), discusses his career, as well as his post-boxing life.
You retired from boxing on your 35th birthday on June 26, 2013. What have you been up to since hanging up your gloves?
I’ve been doing some punditry for Sky Sports and BBC Scotland. It takes a lot of research, especially the work with BBC Scotland, as I cover different sports there – not just boxing. I’ve always had a lot of boxing knowledge. At one point when I was younger, I think I had one of the largest collections of VHS boxing tapes in the country. But at BBC Scotland, I have to talk about all sorts – rugby, tennis, doping, head injuries. It’s been interesting learning more about these things.
Recently, I’ve been going down to Meadowbank ABC a lot, where Machlan, my youngest son, trains. I’ve been helping out a bit with John Mccarron. He coaches the likes of [top amateurs] Lee Mcgregor and Sean Spence, as well as [unbeaten pro] Lewis Paulin. Lee is the best young Edinburgh fighter I’ve seen in years. I’ve been really enjoying it at the gym. So much so that I’m currently looking for facilities in Edinburgh to open my own gym. I’d like to train amateurs, and maybe get into training and managing pros too.
You promoted your last two fights yourself, under the AAA (Amazing Alex Arthur) Promotions banner. Since retiring, have you ever considered getting into promoting again?
My team and I looked into the prospect of promoting events, but we sort of realised that it’d be difficult to make a success of it without me boxing on the show – someone who the general public know. That’s why I’m looking into the training side of things more now. I never thought that’d be the case, though.
You worked with lots of top trainers during your fighting career. Who would you rate as your best coach?
I think I’d have to say Peter Harrison. Freddie Roach cornered me for one of my best performances – when I stopped Willie Limond [in eight rounds in July 2003]. But before going out to America with Freddie, I’d been trained by Peter. I think he’s the best trainer Scotland’s ever produced. I was unbeaten with Peter, but having to travel from Edinburgh to the gym in Glasgow five days a week eventually took its toll on me a bit. And Peter was obviously training [his son] Scott Harrison too, so he was a busy man, and I couldn’t always get the time with him that I wanted.
Although the result didn’t go your way, would you say that your bout against Michael Gomez in October 2003 (l rsf 5) was the greatest fight you were involved in?
It was definitely the most exciting! I’d been suffering from a viral infection in the lead-up. I was laid out in bed a few days beforehand. Unfortunately for me, it was one of the only fights that Gomez ever really properly prepared for. Meanwhile, with my illness, I obviously didn’t have a good preparation at all. It showed just how important preparation is. It’s not always just about talent.
Is there any contest in particular that you regret didn’t happen during your time in the ring?
It’s a shame that myself and Gomez didn’t fight again. The public wanted a rematch and I wanted a rematch. Gomez said that he wanted it too, but I think he was asking for something like 150 grand. I remember him saying to me, ‘I’m not going through all that again without getting a good payday.’ I could see what he was saying, as the first one was a tough fight for us both! Personally, I would’ve loved to have fought Erik Morales, as we were both tall at the weight, and both good body-punchers. The one I was closest to fighting though was Marco Antonio Barrera. At the time, I was WBO super-featherweight champion, but I was going to move up to lightweight, as it was such a struggle making 130lbs. But [promoter] Frank Warren said that the Barrera fight was a possibility, so I decided to keep hold of my title. In the end though, the fight never happened, and I was matched with Nicky Cook instead. It was a bit of a kick in the teeth for me.
I went to the sports science centre to have my body fat checked before starting camp for the Cook fight. I remember getting on the scales and being almost 175lbs, but I had a six-pack! The guy at the centre said, ‘I don’t know how you’ll get down to 130lbs and still be able to stand up!’ It was so hard making weight.
What do you regard as your favourite win?
When I stopped Koba Gogoladze [in 10 rounds] for the Interim WBO super-featherweight title [in July 2007]. He was a feared southpaw who’d boxed in the 1996 Olympics. To be able to deal with my weight issues and beat a fighter of that calibre was a great achievement.
‘I REMEMBER BEING ALMOST 175LBS, BUT I HAD A SIX-PACK!’