http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/6196462.stm


Alex Arthur has vacated his European super featherweight belt to turn his attention to becoming a world champion.
Arthur became Scotland's first European champion for 11 years in July 2005 when he defeated Boris Sinitsin and he has made three successful defences.

"With respect to the European title, we have taken that as far as we can," said promoter Frank Warren.

"He will fight in late February and it will be with a view to a world title challenge in the near future."

The 28-year-old from Edinburgh is in the top rankings of the four major world bodies.

He is rated number three by the World Boxing Association and the World Boxing Organisation, number five by the World Boxing Council and number 13 by the International Boxing Federation.

606 DEBATE: Will Arthur become a world champion?

Warren declined to put in a purse bid for a mandatory defence against Portugal's Antonio Bento believing there would little point or interest in another European battle.

"We had a discussion and came to a mutual conclusion that Alex would vacate it," he said.

"The Portuguese fighter who he was set to meet in his next fight has been beaten by Sinitsin, so we think that the European title has served its purpose.

"We will keep our options open but his next fight will probably be down south.

"We like to take our boxers around the place and build up their profile."