By Mark Vester

According to a recent report in Sportinglife, the WBO has elevated Alex Arthur to the status of "full" super featherweight champion after reigning champ Joan Guzman vacated the title and prepares to move up in weight to the lightweight division.

Arthur was the interim-champion and was set to face Guzman on May 3, but the fight was postponed after there were allegations that Guzman was unable to obtain a visa in time to make the fight (Guzman's team has denied these claims). Arthur's promoter, Frank Warren, is on the hunt for a credible opponent to face Arthur in his first defense this summer.

"Britain has lost a few of its world champions over the last few months but we have got one back with Alex now declared as world champion," Warren said. "I believe he will be a long-term world champion. I'm working hard at the moment to deliver a new date and challenger for Alex."

Arthur was delighted when he heard the news of being recognized as the full champion.

"I'm delighted with the decision by the WBO to give me full world-champion status but I felt that I won the title when I beat Koba Gogoladze last July," Arthur said. "I'm confident I would have beaten Guzman had the fight been rescheduled but I believe that I'm among the elite super-featherweights and want to prove myself as the best out there. But I'm proud to be Edinburgh's first world champion for 30 years, and am looking forward to making the first defence of my title."

Send News Tips and Comments To Mark Vester @ boxingscene@hotmail.com