ALEX ARTHUR, of Edinburgh, the boxer many predict will be Scotland’s next world champion, won the first significant title of his professional career when he knocked out Steve Conway in the fourth round to win the vacant British super-featherwight title, on the undercard at Braehead Arena.

Conway, from Dewsbury, who came in as a late replacement for Willie Limmond, put up a spirited challenge but had no answer to Arthur’s body shots and straight rights. Near the end of the fourth round, a stunning left hook, which almost took Conway off his feet, dropped the Englishman in a neutral corner and he failed to beat the count.

“I saw he was open to the left hook,” Arthur said. “I felt well on top throughout but I was just waiting for that punch. I was hoping he would get up because I was enjoying it so much.”

Arthur, 24, who has a hugely likeable personality to go along with his talent in the ring, now wants to defend the title in his home city. He has not boxed in Edinburgh in any of his 13 paid contests. “I hope and pray that will happen,” Arthur added.

That defence is unlikely to be against Limmond, of Glasgow, who had to pull out of the contest five days before after suffering a perforated ear drum, the second time he has had to withdraw from facing Arthur. Limmond is unlikely to be back in the ring until well into the new year and may find that Arthur has moved on by the time he is ready again for a title challenge.

Lee McAllister, 20, a four-time Scottish amateur champion, made a successful professional debut as he outpointed Baz Carey, of Coventry, over four rounds. McAllister, a lightweight who is managed by Brendan Ingle, the former trainer of Naseem Hamed, won every round.