Alex Arthur, the Scottish super featherweight, has said that he will be fighting Alexander Hrulev, of Russia, for the vacant WBO Intercontinental title on 10 March.
The 28 year old Arthur holds an impressive record against Russian boxers, having won four out of five fight against Russian opponents this year. Arthur has as already beaten Russians Nikolai Eremeev, Alexey Slyauchin, Dmitry Gorodetsky and Boris Sinitsin in his career. He therefore hopes to beat Hrulev as well before a possible world title fight later this year.
Alex Arthur said: “I’ve had some good wins against Russians in the past, but you can never take anything for granted against these guys because boxing is their way to a better life. They always give 100% but I’m used to their style now.”
Hrulev has only been beaten once out of sixteen fights and he has never been stopped inside the boxing ring.
Arthur said: “I can’t take anything for granted. I know Hrulev will put me under pressure but I will beat him.”
Arthur is the former European, Commonwealth and British boxing champion. However he relinquished his European belt in November to concentrate on becoming a world boxing champion.
If he wins this fight he would extend his 24-1 record and will be hoping that his promoter, Frank Warren, can get him a shot at a world title later on this year.
“It’s been a long time coming, but I have to be patient because I’m in such a competitive division. I don’t think there is a stronger division in boxing, but it means when I do win a world title no one will be able to say that I’ve taken short cuts.”
What do you think about Alex Arthur’s chances against Alexander Hrulev?
And what do you make of his future in boxing, can he win a world title? If so, when?
