A POTENTIAL fight between Lyndon Arthur and Dan Azeez has drifted in and out of the boxing headlines over the last 12 months, but Arthur says it is one that he still hopes will happen.
The Manchester light heavyweight told the BBC in 2023 that he and Azeez were on a “collision course” to fighting one another in another intriguing all-British at 175lbs. Already, we have seen Joshua Buatsi, regarded as the British number one, defeat Azeez and Craig Richards, who earlier this month lost to the improving Willy Hutchinson. Arthur, too, holds a big win of his own against Anthony Yarde but was stopped in the fourth round of their rematch.
Tomorrow night (June 21) on Channel 5 ‘King’ Arthur, 23-2 (16 KOs), gets back on his horse to do battle against Liam Cameron, 23-5 (10 KOs). This represents a great chance for Arthur to get another win – and a WBA ranking belt – six months after his last bout when he lost to WBA world champion Dmitry Bivol in Saudi Arabia.
Arthur spoke to Boxing News about Friday’s task at the Bolton Whites Hotel.
“This is his opportunity. He has to bring his A game, which means I have to bring my A game. So I’m not overlooking Liam Cameron at all and I’m excited for the task on Friday.”
Any possible hope of facing Azeez could have disappeared last weekend at Selhurst Park when Croat Hrvoje Sep almost caused a huge upset. After eight rounds referee Bob Williams scored the fight 76-76. The good news at least is Arthur vs. Azeez remains a possibility.
“It’s a fight I want,” Arthur says.
“I know Dan Azeez has drawn at the weekend but I don’t believe that was him at his best by far. I think he might have took the opponent lightly, or the camp lightly. You know, you have them days sometimes where you can’t be perfect all the time.
“I’m sure when he fights against me, he will train 100% and will leave no stone unturned and mine and his style will gel for a great fight. When that fight gets made, if that fight gets made, I’ll look forward to it.”
Arthur, like Azeez was, is a long odds-on favourite to beat Cameron who returned to boxing last October after a four-year ban was handed down to him from UKAD having tested positive for traces (25 nanograms) of benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine. During the same year he received his ban, his stepdaughter Tiegan lost her life in a road traffic accident. Cameron has battled back and beaten alcohol addiction as well. It’s a heavy story that viewers on Channel 5 will be reminded of during the broadcast tomorrow night.
“I’ve heard little bits,” Arthur said of Cameron’s troubles. “I think he got banned from boxing, was it? He was drinking or something. Other than that, I pay no mind to it. I can’t look into it. I will, maybe, after the fight. Maybe I’ll speak to him, maybe I won’t. Couldn’t really care less at the minute. After the fight, it might be a different story.”
His answer wasn’t disrespectful or intended to offend but during a fight week any boxer must focus on him and him alone. Arthur wouldn’t expect any pity for his own story that saw a 10-year-old Lyndon lose his older brother Zennen Blackburn after he was shot and murdered in Bolton.
At 19 Arthur discovered boxing and wouldn’t make his professional debut until he was 25. His eight-year career has featured big fights, a world title challenge and winning belts of his own but there is a feeling that there could have been more.
“I’ve done okay. I’ve not done too bad. It’s hard to get to the level I’m at,” he says.
“I’ve obviously had a few ups and downs. Nothing can be plain sailing all the time. I’ve took it as it’s come and I’ve headlined my last… I even think the last fight with Bivol was a bit of a headline fight. I’ve probably headlined my last four or five shows. I’ve headlined a total of probably seven or eight shows.
“It’s a big thing for me. I come from Moston. Not many people do anything from where I’m from or Manchester. Not really many people do anything. I’ve carried the flag for Manchester a little bit in boxing, so I’m happy. Obviously, I can do more. I know I can do more. But the journey so far has been good.”