Arthur retains title

In a pulsating encounter, Arthur survived an 11th-round knockdown which threatened to rob him of his title, recovering his composure to see the fight out.

Foster, deducted a point for illegal use of his head, also took a standing eight count in the ninth round of a battle that ebbed and flowed.

It was a unanimous decision for Arthur in the end but the champion would have been glad to see the back of the tenacious Englishman.

Ricky Hatton was given a huge ovation when he entered the arena an hour before the first bell in the main event and his presence at ringside drew much of the attention from the Edinburgh crowd.

No one seemed to mind the Mancunian, who lost his WBC welterweight battle with Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas, was in Scotland to support his fellow Englishman Foster.

Former WBO featherweight champion Scott Harrison, aiming for a comeback next year after two years of turmoil out of the ring, was also at ringside but slipped in to the hall with less fuss.

The untidy opening moments of the fight saw Foster look strong and confident with Arthur having to take several lefts and rights against the ropes.

Arthur looked uncomfortable at times against Foster's swinging rights which were finding the target too often for the Edinburgh fighter's liking.

Round five began with Arthur, more assured, working to the body but still the big bombs were coming from the challenger, who was not averse to leading with his head at times.