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Arthur retains European belt with ease

05/11/2006

Alex Arthur retained his European super-featherweight title in Glasgow last night with an easy technical knockout in round five against Spanish opponent Sergio Palomo.

Arthur came out strongly and floored Palomo with a left hook at the end of the first round. He had him down again in the second round but each time the previously undefeated Palomo survived an eight count.

The Edinburgh fighter was always on top on the scorecards and the end came in the fifth round when a left-right combination left the referee with no option but to stop the fight.

He said afterwards: "Palomo had a really big heart and he was really quick, but I wanted to get the job done quickly."

Promoter Frank Warren revealed that he hoped to line-up a world title fight for Arthur some time next summer. His record is now 24 wins and one loss.

Meanwhile in Phoenix, Shannon Briggs won a dramatic fight against Sergei Liakhovich to win the WBO heavyweight title in the final seconds of the last round.

Liakhovich was in front on all the judges' scorecards going into the final round but Briggs was able to floor his opponent with 26 seconds remaining. The Russian got to his feet only to be struck again by a massive right hand.

Although this did not knock him down immediately he was clearly dazed and then dramatically fell through the ropes on the scorers table. The referee stopped the fight with one second of the round remaining.

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