Scottish super-featherweight star Alex Arthur has been nominated by the European Boxing Union as their Champion of the Year for 2006.

Arthur won the European title with a classy performance to beat then holder Boris Sinitsin in July 2005. The Edinburgh hot-shot successfully defended the belt three times last year against Ricky Burns, Sergey Gulyakevich and Sergio Palomo which impressed the EBU hierarchy.

He then relinquished the European title, along with the British and Commonwealth belts, to focus on his imminent world title challenge.

Arthur said, "I'm absolutely delighted that the EBU have recognised my achievements and awarded me with this prestigious accolade. It was an honour to win and defend the European title because as a boy I dreamed of holding the three titles - British, Commonwealth and European - before going on to challenge for world titles. I'm looking forward to moving onto the next phase of my career and that is getting a world title around my waist to become the first world champion from Edinburgh since the great Ken Buchanan."

Promoter Frank Warren said, "This justifies all the hard work that Alex has put into his career. He tasted defeat against Michael Gomez a few years back but has come back a much stronger, wiser and better fighter. He's operating in world class now and will shortly be challenging for a world title."