Even a last minute change of opponent and change to the distance of the fight couldn't stop Salford's boxing dentist, Arthif Daniel, aka Dr Hitman, from another impressive victory last night at Victoria Warehouse.
Arthif, a dentist by day and a boxer by night*, found a new grit and determination in his performance as he outclassed seasoned professional Liam Griffiths to record a comfortable points victory.
Arthif was the superior boxer and took each round against the durable Griffiths. It was a solid win in his seventh professional fight... "I want to thank everyone for the huge support and especially to those who came down" he said after the fight "I could hear your roars in every punch."
It was a difficult 24hrs for Arthif as his original opponent pulled out due to unforeseen circumstances. It was only on the morning of the fight that a replacement was confirmed and Arthif was told that he would enter the ring. To add to the confusion, it was while he was having his hands wrapped that he was also informed that the fight wouldn't be over the agreed six rounds.
Dr Hitman had been eager to step up for his first six round fight, but didn't allow this to affect his performance. Instead he managed to translate his disappointment into a positive as he dismantled the experienced Griffiths.
Arthif was pragmatic about the mix-up, explaining it's "part of the sport that you have to deal with but as the best, Floyd Mayweather, says; 'A true champion can adapt to anything'. So I wanted to take the positive out of a negative situation and demonstrate my mental strength in this tough sport of boxing.
"I had trained for an orthodox fighter who is right handed" he added "And to have complicated matters further he was a very awkward and unconventional southpaw, left handed - so something I had to adapt whilst in the fight itself."
In the final round a driven Dr Hitman was the aggressor as he pushed for a stoppage. He hurt his opponent in every round, but Griffiths relied on every ounce of his 76 fight experience to frustrate Arthif and hang on to the final bell... "He was a tough and experienced guy" said the Hitman "and you can only beat who's in front of you."
It's now onwards and upwards for Arthif Daniel as he looks to get a set opponent over six rounds in his next bout. Arthif was keen to thank his coach Lee Beard and everyone who got behind him to give their support for this fight.
For a full background see previous Salford Star article – Salford's Boxing Dentist Will Take Out Your Teeth – click here
Words by Ian Leslie
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