By Terence Dooley
Manchester’s John Murray has decided to shake up his training regime in the wake of the first defeat of his 32-fight professional journey, an eighth round stoppage reverse to London lightweight rival Kevin Mitchell at Liverpool’s ECHO Arena on July 16th. John fell to 31-1 (18) after the domestic FOTY candidate, losing out on the WBO Inter-Continental crown and a possible world title tilt in the process.
The 26-year-old had worked with former coach Joe Gallagher for his entire career but will now train under Mike Marsden, who managers Murray as well as training fighters such as Paul Truscott and Stuart Hall. Murray’s conditioning and nutrition work will be boosted by the inclusion of Kerry Kayes in the new set-up, the nutritionist has told the world ranked contender that he can tick over in the Betta Bodies Boxing Gymnasium when not at Marsden’s Leeds-based camp.
Although sad to leave Gallagher and his former gym mates, the former English, British and EBU 135lb titlist told me that it was time to make the change. “I’m thankful to Joe for all his hard graft,” stated Murray. “I wasn’t as happy as I could have been with the training for my last fight. The time has come for me to move on. Joe’s put a lot of effort into me, I’m grateful but boxing’s a short career for a fighter so I have to make the most of my time in the sport. Joe and the lads at Gallagher’s Gym will have a great future – I wish them well.”
Murray hopes to receive word of his next date and opponent in the coming weeks, insisting that he knows what went wrong in the Mitchell fight, how he can put things right and that he intends to ensure that the next few years are the most productive of his career. His first port of call will be promoter Frank Warren; FWP’s boss believes that Murray still has a big future. The fighter is desperate to get back on track, saying that, “I’ll take on anyone that Frank puts in front of me to get myself back into the titles. If he gives me a tough contender then I’ll take that to get back on it.”
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