Hatton Promotions Releases Martin Murray

Offers for world title fights with Gennady Golovkin and Felix Sturm have been on the table for a number of weeks, but Murray has decided to hold off signing any agreements. 

The delay comes on the heels of Murray pulling out of a scheduled middleweight interim title fight versus Jarrod Fletcher, which was supposed to take place Febraury 1 on the undercard of Gennady Golovkin's knockout of Osumana Adama.

The withdrawal from that fight was largely due to the belief that Murray would land a title fight rematch with Felix Sturm, who became a four-time champion after a 2nd round upset knockout of Darren Barker earlier in the year. The fight with Sturm was on the table, as was a potential showdown with Golovkin, viewed by many as the best midldeweight in the world. 

Instead, the middleweight is now left without a title opportunity, or a promoter to support his cause.

Murray signed with Hatton Promotions in 2009, two years into his pro career and still a six-round prospect at that point. He has since received two title 

When Martin was signed in 2009, he'd never boxed beyond eight rounds and had largely featured non-televised shows.

Since then he has won the British and Commonwealth crowns and boxed for two world titles. One was a showdown with Sturm, resulting in a 12-round draw in their Dec. '11 showdown in Germany. 

The more celebrated of his two title fights came last April, when he came oh-so-close to upsetting Sergio Martinez on the road in Argentina. Murray floored the reigning lineal middleweight king, but faded late and allowed a narrow lead to slip away as he dropped a controversial decision. 

Absolutely nothing of note has since happened in his career, other than leaving a slew of fights on the table. 

"He's had six world title fights offered to him in the last two years. I don't think anyone's had more than that," Hatton said. "To say I'm disappointed is an understatement, but that's the game."