18.03.08 Arthur relishes Guzman test

Scotland's Alex Arthur insists he is ready take his big chance after Edinburgh's

Meadowbank Arena was confirmed as the venue for his WBO super-featherweight title fight against champion Joan Guzman.

The clash will go ahead on May 3 and Arthur insists he can upset unbeaten Guzman to get his hands on the belt.

Guzman has won all of his 28 professional fights and the 31-year-old, who hails from the Dominican Republic, will expect to extend that perfect record.

But Arthur, who has lost just one of 27 bouts, insists the home fans can roar him to a famous result for Scottish boxing.

"With my fans behind me I know I can beat Guzman and prove that I belong at world level," said Arthur.

"Make no mistake, Guzman is a dangerous customer and he fully deserves his reputation as one of the pound-for-pound greats.

"The bookies will have me as a pre-fight underdog, but that doesn't bother me - I know I've got the beating of him.

"He reckons that fighting me will be easy money, but I'm going to give him hell for every single penny he earns.

"I've never been so fired up for a fight in all my life. It's been my dream to fight the best in the world, and now I've got the chance to prove myself, I'll take it with both hands."

It was suggested recently that Arthur could fight Guzman in Glasgow, but the 29-year-old believes the Edinburgh venue where he was contested eight of his last 11 fights is the right stage for the clash.

"I've already been training hard for the fight, and the atmosphere in Edinburgh around fight week is going to be incredible," Arthur said.

"I've had some wonderful nights at the Meadowbank, and hearing the roar of the fans helped me defeat Steve Foster in December."

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