EDINBURGH'S world title challenger, Alex Arthur, received a double offer yesterday aimed at boosting his chances of beating defending WBO superfeatherweight champion Joan Guzman in two weeks' time.
Top Scottish ring cornerman Billy Nelson, has offered to join Arthur's team at Meadowbank on May 3 for the clash with the Dominican Republic fighter. And recently retired Fauldhouse welterweight pro Colin McNeil has offered Arthur his services as
a masseur in the run up to the Guzman clash, having just set up a professional practice at Hampden Park.
Said Nelson: "It is common knowledge that on a previous occasion I had to abort plans to second Alex Arthur at Meadowbank because of my shift patterns in a care home in Glasgow, but that restriction no longer applies so I'm offering my services to Alex against Guzman."
"I was in former WBO featherweight champion Scott Harrison's corner during many of his successful world title bouts. And I currently coach hot, unbeaten, Edinburgh super-middleweight Kenny Anderson, so I have the pedigree to help Alex in the corner of the biggest fight of his career so far.
Alex speaks regularly to me on the telephone so he knows all he has to do is pick up the phone and I'll join his corner team against Guzman pronto!'
And Nelson, who seconded Arthur in a supporting role when the Capital ace was unbeaten in his first twelve fights, added: "I've had Kenny Anderson sparring with Leith Victoria heavyweight Stevie Simmons and an Iranian novice pro light-middleweight, Ben Manim, and Kenny is looking sharp for his spot on the Arthur v Guzman undercard against Welshman Nathan King."
As for the offer of some pre-fight massage treatment, McNeil said: "I sparred hundreds of rounds with Alex Arthur both as an amateur and in the pros, so few boxers know Alex's ring style and habits as well as I do.
"I forecast that Arthur, with his ferocious left hook to the body, will stop Guzman inside the distance
"However, to try to ensure this I'm offering Alex my services as a masseur – nobody knows better than I how a major fight can cause pre-fight stress. So how a boxer relaxes is as crucial as any other angle to his fight preparations. I can help by guaranteeing my old sparring mate thorough, relaxing, deep massage after his training sessions and in the days just before he fights Guzman."
The full article contains 412 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
