Lyndon Arthur grew into his light heavyweight fight with late replacement, Boris Crighton, winning via unanimous decision in Bolton.
Arthur stepped into the ring looking to secure his third victory after a first career loss to domestic rival, Anthony Yarde, back in 2021. The rangey 175 pounder is looking to get his name back up into the mix amongst a stacked division.
‘King’ Arthur saw a last minute change of opponent when Braian Suarez was deemed medically unfit to fight. Enter Aberdeen’s Boris Crighton – a 10-1 fighter with 8 knockouts riding high on a four-fight win streak. With aspirations in the super middleweight ranks, it was a big step up and in. The sort of move boxing fans like to see.
The IBO light heavyweight title was no longer on the line, but a loss for Arthur became much more damaging than it would have before. For Crighton, this fight against a former sparring partner was a chance to upset the odds and change the trajectory of his career. As he promised, he was quick. Tricky too.
Arthur showcased his jab from the first bell, as he always does, although there was a real lack of follow-up with the right hand. After a tentative two from Crighton, he landed a big right hand at the end of the third that rocked Arthur and demanded his respect.
Arthur’s jab started to do his work by marking his opponent’s eye in the fourth. Crighton, though, wasn’t to be deterred, and he pushed the pace. His attacks were ambitious, whereas Arthur’s were patient and often not forthcoming at all.
Rounds five and six were close and could go either way. Crighton likely nicked the seventh through sheer work rate. Arthur showed up in the eighth – his best of the fight so far and a real turning point – finally following up on the jab and finding the aggression he needed.
In the ninth, he staggered Crighton with a big right hand – a highlight of the fight – and the stand-in opponent was all over the ring. He weathered it well, even landing himself, but Arthur refused to let up – that was until Crighton delivered two big left hooks in the final seconds, just about keeping his hopes alive.
The momentum was with Lyndon Arthur in the tenth and final round. He didn’t go searching for a stoppage, and that let the still-game Crighton land a nice right hand. Arthur found the home for an uppercut in the final minute, Crighton landed a left hook and decided to go for it. It was a mistake – Arthur landed a pitch perfect straight right and dropped him.
The Scot was saved by the bell, going the distance as an absolutely commendable late replacement. He’ll do well off the back of it. A good fight for Arthur, too – who took it by unanimous decision with scores of 98-92, 96-93 & 99-91. He would have gained nothing from a quick blow out, and now looks towards the IBO world title shot promised.