Frank Warren Adds Lyndon Arthur To His Promotional Roster

By Terence Dooley

Frank Warren has made his first move of 2018 by adding Manchester’s Lyndon “King” Arthur (9-0, 7 KOs) to his stable.  The news was confirmed on Warren’s website on New Year's Eve and it means that Arthur joins gym mate Zelfa Barrett as both boxers look ahead to a big year.

The light-heavyweight prospect is trained by former British and EBU light-welterweight champion Pat Barrett, Zelfa's uncle, and has quietly moved to 9-0 on Barrett’s Black Flash Promotions shows as well as featuring on the undercard of Hughie Fury’s decision loss to Joseph Parker at the Manchester Arena in September. 

Indeed, it was his second taste of an arena atmosphere after making his professional bow on the undercard of Anthony Crolla’s decision defeat to Jorge Linares in 2016.  The 26-year-old will now hope to gate-crash the upper echelons of the 175lb ratings and feature on more big shows.

Arthur told Richard Hubbard that the lure of fighting on BT Sport and BoxNation was too strong to resist when making his decision.

“I’ve been under the radar, I’ve had nine fights in the last year, with I would like to say eight stoppages, but the last guy was disqualified for spitting his gumshield out,” stated Arthur.

“So I’m nine wins, seven stoppages, a light heavyweight—a division that is booming at the minute with Anthony Yarde and the likes of Joshua Buatsi and Jake Ball.  I am happy to be here.”

Yarde (14-0, 13 early) is a possible opponent for Arthur, who has already mooted the idea of a clash against his London-based promotional stablemate and possible rival.  “Of course, it is going to happen and I can’t wait,” he said.  “Everyone is talking a lot about him but, once I get the exposure I am going to get, people will talk about me and the fight will build automatically.

He added: “He is cool and there is no animosity between us.  I am probably not even on his radar.  Eventually I will be though and he is going to have to look at me.  For now, we are on our paths, on our journeys, and I have no hate towards anybody in boxing.  This is just a business.”

Please send news and views to @Terryboxing.