By John Barnes

McArthur takes on Poland's Arek Malek in Clydebank on Friday

Gary McArthur aims to set up a mouth-watering, all-Scottish clash for the Commonwealth lightweight title.

The Clydebank boxer takes on Poland's Arek Malek at his home town's Playdrome on Friday night.

And a win should lead to a bout with Lee McAllister, provided the Aberdonian overcomes Ghana's Godfried Sowah.

The pair are fighting in the Granite City on 19 June for the vacant Commonwealth lightweight belt that was relinquished by Amir Khan.

McArthur, who weighed in at 10 stone exactly for the contest, said: "I feel fantastic, I can't wait.

"The Playdrome Clydebank is the Mecca of boxing and I'm going to go out there and put in a good performance.

"I always get the local backing. I'm so lucky I was brought up in a tight community. In communities we all stick together and that's what we'll be doing on Friday night.

"Arek will be strong as most eastern European guys are. They're always big hitters and he looks in good shape on the scales, so it'll be a tough night's work. He doesn't get stopped very much."

Promoter Tommy Gilmour has set up the carrot of a £100,000 purse should McAllister and McArthur come face-to-face.

On the possibility of such a bout, a McArthur said: "I need to get that out of my mind for the moment and concentrate on Arek. But it is a good thought, what Tommy's lining up for me.

"£100,000 for the Commonwealth title against Lee McAllister is absolutely fantastic. It would be a great fight. They couldn't print enough tickets for that one.

"Anything to boost Scottish boxing is unbelievable. We like to compete with the top sports. It would maybe put football on the back burner for once.

"Lee's the man to be chasing and I look forward to the challenge."

Gilmour is also excited at the prospect of the all-Scottish fight.

"If Gary can win on Friday and Lee can win next week we can set up the most lucrative fight between two Scots in recent times," said Gilmour.

"We've done 50, 60 and £70,000 but this could be a much bigger fight because they're very big in their own parts.

"Everybody in Clydebank knows Gary. Nobody is safe when he's out selling tickets for his fights. This is a big night for him.

"We're expecting the place to be absolutely heaving."

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