Lyndon Arthur remains on track to fight for a world title in May after flooring late replacement Boris Crighton on the way to a unanimous points win.
Arthur, live and free-to-air on Channel 5, had to bide his time against his former sparring partner from Scotland, after original opponent Braian Suarez failed a medical on Thursday.
Suarez’s withdrawal meant the vacant IBO light heavyweight world title was no longer on the line, but Arthur could afford no mistakes against Crighton on the Wasserman Boxing card at the University of Bolton Stadium, if he wanted to challenge for the belt later this year.
And though the spirited Crighton made life difficult, Manchester’s Arthur refused to be ruffled.
After a strong eighth session, Arthur hurt ‘Blade’ in round nine and then detonated a huge right hand to send Crighton to the canvas late in the 10th.
Crighton rose to his feet to hear the final bell but Arthur was awarded the victory with scores of 98-92, 96-93 and 99-91 by the ringside judges and he now turns his attention back to the IBO world title.
Arthur, now 22-1, said: “Crighton literally came in at the last minute and I was supposed to be fighting someone completely different, with a completely different style, for the title. It was scrappy at times but, in the end, it was a good 10 rounds for me and we keep moving.”
Wasserman Head of Global Boxing, Kalle Sauerland said: “We march on, to May and the world championship for Lyndon Arthur.
“We have had it confirmed by the IBO that Lyndon is now mandatory challenger for the vacant belt and we will find out his opponent in the next few weeks, but there will be a world title for Lyndon Arthur in May.”