THE tartan tear-up is back in vogue. Some 33 years after Jim Watt and Ken Buchanan set the benchmark for local pugilistic rivalry, the all-Scottish showpiece has enjoyed a renaissance.

Alex Arthur's victories against Craig Docherty and, most recently, Ricky Burns have been among his most memorable, as much for the surrounding buzz of anticipation from the crowd as the imponderable aspect of trading leatherwith a friend-turned-foe.

Tonight, in the Fife Ice Rink, Kevin Anderson and Craig Dickson will engage in a similarly engrossing duel for the Commonwealth welterweight title. It promises to be a night of complex combat.

Anderson, as champion, is the overwhelming favourite to retain his title against a challenger announced at ominously late notice after the cancellation of the original opponent, Shannon McMahon.

For as long as Dickson has two fists, to paraphrase a pugilistic adage, he stands an even chance. Points of motivational reference are in plentiful supply for a fighter roused by the Cinderella possibilities.

Tommy Gilmour, the promoter for tonight's show and manager to both fighters, is in a no-lose situation.

Anderson has as much to lose as Dickson has to gain, and Arthur - who has overcome the inherent difficulties of such bouts - offered his own appraisal of the situation.

"It's difficult entering the ring and seeing your pal in the other corner but you have to block it out, " said the British, Commonwealth and European superfeatherweight champion.

"That was the situation when I fought Craig. The all-Scottish fights have been really popular but for me it is also quite sad: we are a small country and when you put two in together it is almost like cancelling each other out.

"It is difficult for me to fight someone I grew up with but it's business, providing a better future for our families."

Anderson's accelerated rise was vindicated with a mature disposal of the respected Joshua Okine to win the Commonwealth belt. He will now face a fighter with similar aspirations of confounding the odds.

Arthur, meanwhile, was taken the distance by Burns in an enthralling contest at Meadowbank last month and explained the added intensity of squaring up to a compatriot.

"It's not just about keeping your title, there's pride at stake as well, not to mention the bragging rights, it's what makes fighting another Scot all the more dangerous, " he said.

"Kevin's an exciting fighter with all the ability in the world but I have noticed some subtle defensive weaknesses.

"I have never watched Craig fight but, if he can identify them too, he can cause him problems.

Complacency is Anderson's invisible enemy.

"The worst thing that can happen is if Kevin takes it lightly. Lookwhat happened to me against Michael Gomez. When you have a change of opponent, part of your preparations are affected because, mentally and physically, you have focused on the other guy during your training. As the underdog, Craig should take a leaf out of Ricky Burns' book."

Meanwhile, Arthur will return to the ring on Saturday, April 29 at Meadowbank Stadium to defend his titles.

The Edinburgh boxer, ranked inside the top 10 by the WBO, WBC and IBF, continues his march towards a world title opportunity planned for later this year and awaits confirmation of the challenger for his titles.

Arthur said: "I'm delighted to be back in the ring so soon after my win over Ricky and the main aim for me this year is to keep busy with four or five fights, hopefully culminating in a world title fight. I was out of the ring since July when I won the European title against Boris Sinitsin.

"Ricky is a tough kid but I felt great in there and I knew my experience and stamina would be the telling factor.

"Wayne McCullough will be in my corner again afterwe had a successful first fight working together against Ricky and I believe our partnership can only get stronger fight by fight."