 Jamie Arthur was the first Welsh boxer since 1958 to win Commonwealth gold |
Former Commonwealth champion Jamie Arthur is to fight at the latest Prizefighter tournament in London. The British title challenger decided against retiring to fight for the £32,000 prize in the super-bantamweight event at the York Hall on 29 May. The 30-year-old featherweight will drop down a weight division as an 11th hour stand in for the undefeated Merseysider Craig Lyon who has dropped out. "I like a challenge," said Arthur, who won gold at the 2002 Commonwealths. Arthur became the first Welsh Commonwealth boxing champion since Howard Winstone in 1958 when he beat Zambia's Dennis Zimba in the lightweight final in Manchester. Former world champion Wayne McCullough returns to action in the up-and-coming Prizefighter event but the Belfast-born 39-year-old - who won the WBC bantamweight crown in 1995 - has not fought since June 2008 and not won a fight since 2004. Arthur joins fellow Welshman Ricky Owen at Bethnal Green's famous venue after the 24-year-old unbeaten Swansea confirmed his attendance. Former British title challengers Mark Moran from Liverpool and young Yorkshireman Josh Wale are also in the eight-fighter line-up. "It's going to be tough as the line-up is pretty strong," Arthur told BBC Sport. Arthur conceded he would retire if he lost his British featherweight title challenge against Martin Lindsay but he bravely lost on points to the promising unbeaten Ulsterman in March. But had second thoughts on quitting after his encouraging battling performance and a potential shot at Prizefighter's £32,000 winners cheque.
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