King Arthur dreaming of world glory
MOSTON BOXER HAS HIGH HOPES AFTER COMMONWEALTH VICTORY
LYNDON Arthur knows exactly the dangers he faces every time he walks into the ring, but it doesn’t put the Moston fighter off trying to fulfil his dream of becoming world champion.
The sport was rocked by the death of American Patrick Day after a bout in the States – the fourth boxer to die in recent months.
It’s a risk every fighter accepts, but for Arthur – who two weeks ago claimed the Commonwealth lightheavyweight title with a points win over Ghanaian Emmanuel Anim – it’s something he uses to ensure he is fully focused on what he has to do to become a champion.
“You can’t afford to go into a fight at 90 per cent in this sport. You have to be 100 per cent or you can lose your life,” Arthur told M.E.N. Sport.
“This is the path I’ve chosen and you never want anyone to get injured or lose their life, but it’s just what we have to deal with.
“You’re putting your body through stuff it isn’t built for. A person might go their whole life without having a fight or breaking a bone. We take more in one day than they might take in their whole life.
“As much as we love the sport, we know and witness a lot how dangerous it can be. You can lose your life every time you get in the ring.
“Boxing is also a lot more mental than what people think. A lot of people think it’s just guts and glory – there’s a lot we go through as boxers. There’s the sacrifice of dieting, cutting out the foods you love, cutting out drinking and socialising. You live like a shaolin monk.”
Arthur’s win over Anim, which was on the undercard of Josh Warrington’s world title defence at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, was the biggest of the 28-year-old’s career, improving his unbeaten record to 16 wins, 12 by knockout. But, for the 6ft 2in Mancunian, it is just the start.
“It’s a fantastic feeling but again, it’s just a step,” he said. “I’ve got my foot in the door now. I’ve got the Commonwealth title and things just start to get a little bit busier in regards to bigger and better fights. Things should pick up this year and the next.
“It was my first time going past six rounds, it was my first time in front of a big crowd, my first time fighting for a title, the whole experience was mad for me.
“That situation brought a whole new level of boxing for me, but it’s a good experience to have. I will take whatever opportunity I get. I’d like to go on to the British [title] then I’d like to go on the European [title] and eventually the world [title].
“What I feel like I need is a British fight, so hopefully somewhere in the very near future that will happen.”
For Arthur, who didn’t step into the ring until he was 17, winning the Commonwealth title was important for his community and gym in Moston just as much as it was for him personally.
“I’m a product of the environment around here in Moston. When I grew up here as a kid it was a lot worse, but it just goes to show that you can be from wherever and still be successful.
“For kids growing up in places like this that are watching my story and my journey, it gives them hope. Gyms in places like this play a huge part in society.
“The fact that we have come from the estate to boxing on telly in front of millions of people shows it can be done, it’s not impossible.”