Alex Arthur, the WBO interim super-featherweight champion from Edinburgh, yesterday moved to quash rumours that he is set to withdraw from his scheduled world title bout with champion Joan Guzman of the Dominican Republic.

Arthur was reacting to claims that he has suffered an undisclosed injury ahead of the May 3 contest at Meadowbank Sports Arena following a period of intensive training in America.

The 29-year-old challenger dismissed such claims as "complete nonsense", insisting: "It is time to quash these mischievous rumours once and for all. There is no foundation to them whatsoever.

"I don't know where they are emanating from or who is behind them, but I can assure you that I am A1. Any suggestion that I am suffering from an injury is nonsense.

"It's the same the world over, but Scotland seems to be a village when it comes to this sort of thing and it is very frustrating. I have just returned from sparring in the US at Wayne McCullough's gym and I am in great shape. I feel good after a period of intensive training.

"Besides sparring with guys who match Guzman's style, I was in against Mexicans who were looking for a war and my confidence has grown on the back of that.

"I met a lot of guys who think I will win quite comfortably, which surprised me, and others who raised their eyebrows when they heard I was fighting Guzman.

"One Mexican I sparred with, who has experience of Guzman, told me that I am a far harder puncher. He said that Guzman is quicker but that I am much stronger and that is encouraging.

"There is no doubt that this will be the toughest fight of my career, but I have beaten the likes of Boris Sinitsin and Koba Gogoladze and they said these guys were special until they got into the ring with me."