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Tuesday, 31 December, 2002, 12:11 GMT

Jamie Arthur

Howard Winstone is a tough act to follow, but that's exactly the task that Wales' latest boxing star, Jamie Arthur, has set for himself.

In winning boxing gold at the Commonwealth games in Manchester, Arthur became the first Welshman to achieve that feat since Merthyr-great Winstone in 1958.

Arthur, 22, overcame Zambia's Dennis Zimba with an intelligent, counter-punching display that won him the judge's verdict.

Afterwards the scaffolder from Cwmbran said: "I'll never be able to walk in Howard Winstone's shoes but if I can follow in his footsteps that would be great."

Arthur took the next step on that road by turning professional in November.

He has signed with Frank Warren's Sports Network stable, the same organisation that manages Wales' WBO super-middleweight champion Joe Calzaghe.

His professional debut will be set for early in the new year, but he has no doubt about the way he sees his career heading.

"Winning gold at the Commonwealth's was a dream come true, but now it's the world title that I want," he said.

It took Winstone nine years as a professional to win his world crown, although by that time he had already established himself as a true Welsh great with his epic three-fight series against Mexico's Vincente Saldivar.

Winstone also managed to secure the BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year award three times.

Should Arthur win the vote this year, it will be another step in the footsteps of his hero.


Related to this story:
Wales' pugilist princes (14 Apr 02 | Wales) Arthur wins Welsh gold (03 Aug 02 | Boxing) Arthur joins Calzaghe stable (04 Dec 02 | Boxing)


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