Hearn: Murray Defense Will Backfire on Arthur Abraham
Oct 8, 2015 • 7:38 AM ET
Martin Murray will challenge WBO super-middleweight champion Arthur Abraham in Hannover on November 21.
The St Helens fighter (32-2-1-KO15) stepped up a division after three near misses in middleweight world title fights and with three tune-up wins at his new weight-class under his belt, is back in at the top level against Abraham (43-4-KO29).
Promoter Eddie Hearn said: "It's a big jump compared to his last two fights but it's not when you compare it to the rest of his CV.
"It's probably come one fight quicker than I would have expected and although the Abraham fight seemed to be a fight the public and Martin were calling for, it wasn't necessarily top of my list. It's tough going to Germany.
"The opportunity presented itself and there was no stopping Martin Murray. He has to take this opportunity. I think it's a very winnable fight but a tough fight.
"I feel like Abraham and the Sauerlands have made a bit of a mistake. I think they've looked at this voluntary defence as a clever piece of match-making and I think it'll backfire on them, so I'm going to have a lot of fun with Kalle on this one.
"Martin really has the bit between his teeth. It'll be the same night as Darleys Perez v Anthony Crolla so it's a massive double-header on Sky Sports and it's a brilliant fight for the division.
"I really feel Martin Murray will beat Arthur Abraham. I felt when we signed Martin that he hadn't been built properly in the UK. The plan was to build him and have a big fight in the UK but then I spoke to Kalle and this opportunity came up and you have to be ready.
"Financially, it's not the best for him but Martin has had some great pay days. This is more about trying to become world champion and I believe Abraham has the perfect style for Murray. I really think Murray is a favourite going in to the fight."
The 35-year-old Abraham made back-to-back defences of his title against Paul Smith in 2014 and early 2015 and was most recently in action in July, halting long-time rival Robert Stieglitz in six rounds.
