Arthur sees off spirited ‘Cannonball’ in split decision win, with judges scoring the fight 93-95, 95-93, 97-91
Arthur now wants “big fights” with Nisse Sauerland name-checking Dan Azeez and Joshua Buatsi as rivals to target
Lyndon Arthur (24-2, 16KO) announced his comeback last night in Bolton with a points win over former Commonwealth champion Liam Cameron (23-6, 10KO).
The headliners put on an exciting, busy spectacle with plenty of exchanges, causing the three judges at ringside to be split, with the experienced Steve Gray swaying towards underdog Cameron for the win.
Both boxers were deducted a point each during the bout, but it was Sheffield’s spirited Cameron who was considerably marked up by the final bell and had been bleeding heavily from his nose since the first round, courtesy of that trademark snappy jab from Arthur.
However, Cameron gave a performance in defeat to be proud of while Arthur triumphed to move on to bigger fights.
33-year-old Arthur said: “Everyone at Wasserman Boxing, Kalle and Nisse, and my management have big things planned ahead for me and they have my best interests at heart.
“Once again, I’ve headlined tonight and I can be nothing but grateful. As everyone could see, that wasn’t my best performance in there but we got the win and we move on and look to the future and big fights.
“I’d love the Azeez fight next and I believe I beat him.”
Nisse Sauerland said: “Lyndon got the job done tonight, he wasn’t at his best, but he marches on and we now look to make a huge domestic dust-up for him.
“The fights the British fans want to see are Lyndon in with Dan Azeez, Joshua Buatsi and Willy Hutchinson, and they are the type of fights we want next for him.”
Dan Azeez (7) and Arthur (6) are ranked right next to each other on BoxRec and both are respectable domestic names that, if brought together, would certainly fill out an arena.
Now 34, Londoner Azeez lost on points to close friend Joshua Buatsi in February, then surprisingly struggled in his comeback fight to Croatian Hrgovic Sep last weekend on the Billam-Smith-Riakporhe undercard, just scraping through with a draw.
The British light-heavyweight title lies with Buatsi, and the British Boxing Board have ordered him to defend to Anthony Yarde by November, however talks have recently stalled.
Despite this, Arthur and Azeez could clash for the WBA International light-heavyweight title that the ‘King’ won last night with the incentive that the winner will move up in the world rankings to edge closer to the champion Dmitry Bivol, who once held the International title himself in 2015.
Azeez is ranked at WBA #6 and Arthur will enter the top 15 in next month’s rankings now he has his new title.
Full fight report HERE