By Terence Dooley
Manchester’s John Murray is cranking up his training regime now that he has been given the all clear to reapply for his BBBoC boxing licence. There were fears over Murray’s future when he was diagnosed with a swollen pituitary gland ahead of a showdown with Gavin Rees last November. Murray, though, consulted a specialist, was cleared to box and now hopes to pick up his BBBoC licence before fighting his way back into contention.
Indeed, the 28-year-old former English, British and Europen lightweight titlist, has stepped up his training schedule in the hope of securing a summer outing. “I’m getting back into it,” said Murray when speaking to BoxingScene.
“I’m starting to get fit again and just want to get out there and fight again. It’s been a while, but I’ve let people know that I’m ready to go again as soon I’m fully fit again and a job comes up.”
Murray, 31-2 (18), has not fought since losing by 11th-round TKO to Brandon Rios in December 2011. The WBA lightweight title was only on the line for Murray as Rios lost the belt on the scales. Murray still longs for a world title, but he will temporarily turn his attention to another WBA belt this weekend. The WBA’s Super World super middleweight title is on the line when Carl Froch meets Mikkel Kessler at London’s O2 Arena and Murray is picking former promotional stablemate Froch for the win.
“It is going to be a great fight, I’m looking forward to it,” predicted Murray, who used to box under the Hennessy Sports banner alongside Froch. “I think Froch is in great form, the only thing that niggles with me is that Kessler won last time [by decision in April 2010], so he knows how to do it. Kessler really looks fired-up for what should be a great fight. I am going for Froch, but I think he’ll have to be wary.”
Kessler is seen as the prohibitive underdog here in the U.K., Murray believes that this tag will only serve to raise Kessler’s heckles and could give the Danish boxer an extra edge come the first bell.
“There’s nothing like going in there as an underdog to give you that little boost,” he said. “I’ve had fights in the past where they’ve gone for the other guy and it just lifts you up. That’s what Kessler’s facing going into this fight and he’s got a lot of pride, so he’ll bring that into the fight. But the main thing is that Carl’s getting better with each fight and this rematch has come at just the right time because he’s at the top of his game.”
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