Lyndon Arthur intends to reclaim a place at the top of the British light-heavyweight division.
175lbs is one of the most exciting weight classes in the country. Arthur must get past Argentina’s Braian Nahuel Suarez this week. But if he is victorious he will target British rivals Joshua Buatsi, Dan Azeez or Anthony Yarde.
Arthur has already chalked up two victories since losing his second fight with Anthony Yarde.
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Joshua Buatsi reveals that it’s been a frustrating time for him away from the ring but is ready for his comeback in May.
He had beaten Yarde well in their first contest, but was surprisingly stopped in the rematch.
Arthur believes he went wrong “just in not believing that [Yarde] could do any different”.
“That cost me,” he explained. “I was overconfident. [Physically] I prepared well but I didn’t prepare mentally.
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Boxxer promoter Ben Shalom is excited to have Joshua Buatsi as the latest fighter in his stable and he’s eyeing the biggest fights possible for the light-heavyweight contender.
“It’s a hard pill to swallow. It will either make you or break you.”
If he keeps winning, he believes a third fight with Yarde can happen.
“I’m sure it will happen eventually. If it doesn’t, it’s nothing that I’m going to be hurt about. But it is 1-1 and I feel it makes sense,” Arthur said. “But if it doesn’t happen, it is what it is.”
Joshua Buatsi, the WBA’s no. 1 ranked contender, and new European light-heavy champion Dan Azeez are also on Arthur’s hitlist.
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Following the news that Joshua Buatsi has signed to fight under Boxxer and Sky Sports, Dan Azeez says he’d have no issue fighting his friend in the professional ranks.
“Most definitely. The fights will definitely happen,” Arthur told Sky Sports.
He boxed Buatsi in the final of the national elite amateur championships and the two have sparred more recently.
“I respect Buatsi a lot,” Arthur said. “Buatsi’s very good. You learn from sparring good people and I did when I was out there.
“It’s one of them. We are in the same division. I’m sure these fights will happen.”
He would also relish a European title fight with Azeez.
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Highlights of Dan Azeez against Thomas Faure for the European light-heavyweight title in Paris.
“I think that fight’s going to happen, personally. I think mine and his style will make a great fight. Obviously I believe I’ll be victorious,” he said. “It’ll be fun.”
But those plans hinge on beating Suarez on Friday. “I think he’s a good fighter, a solid fighter. He seems tough, he seems rugged,” Arthur said of the Argentine. “Only lost one, knocked a lot of people out.”
Arthur expects to deliver though. “Just a great performance, a solid performance,” he promised. “Me doing what I do best, back to winning ways.”
That’s what he needs to do – keep winning and, Arthur is sure, those fights will come.
