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my city : edinburgh ALEX ARTHUR: programme transcript My name’s Alex Arthur, I’m 26 years old and I was born in Edinburgh. Growing up in Edinburgh I obviously spent all my childhood here in the south-side area and my fondest memories are of playing in Dumbiedykes and the High Street and round about the Old Town. My Dad was a big fight fan and night after night when the big fights were on TV he would bring me into the living room to watch the fights late at night and from then on in I was hooked. Unfortunately, my Dad wouldn’t let me go to the boxing gym and box you know which was a shame and he had to go to prison for a spell back when I think I was round about 10 years old and when he went to prison I went to boxing because he couldn’t do nothing to stop me and my Mum was right behind me all the way. And I think it was her way of keeping me out of trouble, but close to her all at once. I remember the first time I ever walked into the Sparta Boxing Club, the noise of the ball rattling off the wood and big guys slamming on the heavy bag and people skipping, jumping rope, and the grunting noises in the back with people doing stomach exercises you know and after that first time I knew when I actually left the place that that’s what I wanted to do. When I first realised that I was going to be involved in the game I constantly saved up pocket money and for birthdays and Christmases I always asked my parents if they could buy me boxing footage, so I studied the game really in depth. Every great old fighter helped inspire me to become a champion. Obviously, Edinburgh has played a huge part in my success throughout the years. The people that are behind you are really behind you and I think the biggest majority of the Edinburgh public are behind me to a really great degree. They’ve now got an athlete or a sportsman who they can get behind and say he could be the best in the world. Looking back over the years and what I’ve learnt from boxing it’s been my education. If you cut open my head you’d find one big boxing glove. My favourite runs are Arthur’s Seat naturally, my favourite view is most probably from Salisbury Crags looking down on to the south-side area and the City Centre. When I get to top I can see obviously the Castle really clearly and the reason I always stand and look at the Castle and think about the Castle for a few minutes because it was always my dream to fight there for the world championship on the esplanade. And I look on to Dumbiedykes where I was born and just try and remember the past and to perceive what could happen in the future.
Alex was interviewed by Martin Smith.
Director : Martin Smith Executive Producer : Nicki Young Cinematographer : Simon Dennis Colourist : Simone Grattarola Sound : Robert Anderson Editor : Simon Blakeley © 2004 Channel 4 Television Productions Ltd.
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