From Coventry, Bobby Arthur had a successful amateur career, including representing England and winning a silver medal at welterweight at the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, in Kingston, Jamaica.

He won his first 14 fights, before suffering his first defeat in November 1969 to former British lightweight champion Maurice Cullen.

He won only two of seven fights in 1970 but a win over Ernest Musso in May 1971 started a run of three wins which led to a fight against John H. Stracey in October 1972 for the vacant British welterweight title at the Royal Albert Hall.

Stracey was disqualified in the seventh round for punching after the referee had called a break, giving Arthur the title.

[5] Arthur then moved up to light middleweight to face Larry Paul for the newly created British title in September 1973.