By Terence Dooley

Alex Arthur has moved quickly to deny that there is a rift developing between the Scottish favourite and promoter Frank Warren.  Alex was said to be dispirited with his low placement on this month’s Amir Khan versus Dmitriy Salita bill at the Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle. 

‘Amazing’ Alex, 31, laboured to a loss at the fists of Nigel Wrights early on in the night.  A podgy-looking Arthur seemed out off his comfort zone at light-welterweight but is now going out off his way to assure Warren that he intends to remain under the promoter’s banner.

“I am looking forward to my meeting in the new year with Frank Warren and, although I was a bit disconcerted by the anti-climatic atmosphere surrounding my fight with Nigel Wright in Newcastle and didn't enjoy my new down-the-bill status, I've never ever said I wanted to split from Frank Warren, with whom I've always had a great relationship,” said Arthur when talking to the Edinburgh Evening News.

Warren had earlier released a statement through his spokesman Richard Maynard in response to Arthur’s alleged complaints.  “‘I [Warren] am very surprised at quotes in the media allegedly made by Alex Arthur when just a few days ago Alex texted me and asked me to get him tickets for a Madness concert’,” said Warren.  “I will say no more as I will be speaking to Alex Arthur about his future at a meeting in the new year and I won't discuss that meeting's contents in the media.’”

Ironically, Arthur’s career has been a bit mad of late.  His form was sporadic prior to his WBO lightweight title win and his obtaining of the belt did nothing to improve his recent performances.  The writing was on the wall prior to his 2008 loss to Nicky Cook.

Still, Arthur is a fine technical boxer; however, he’s had more trainers than a JJB superstore and is rapidly approaching the point in his career where he needs to produce the form that we all know he is capable of.  A rematch win over Wright is a must, though it is hard to see how Arthur can perform at his optimum level up at 140lb. 

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