By Lee Collier

Martin Murray, 17-0 (6 early), returns to action on the Scott Lawton-Leva Kirakosyan undercard on the February 19 at the Fenton Manor Sports Complex in Stoke.  Murray, who is looking at getting an English or British title shot this year, faces Shalva Jomardashvili, 26-1 (19 KOs), of Georgia.

Last time out Murray faced a tough Belarusian in Sergey Khomitsky in what was the toughest fight of the Prizefighter winner’s career thus far, with the St Helens fighter touching down in the sixth round before registering a points win.

“The referee did me no favours, the knockdown was no way a knockdown but if he wants to class it a knockout then fair enough,” recalled Murray.  “I had seen a video of Sergey with [trainer] Oliver [Harrison] and knew what to expect.  He was a tough fighter and had been in with some good lads so I expected a hard fight.  I feel that I have learned a lot from that fight.”

Khomitsky had only been stopped once in five defeats before the Murray fight and that was against unbeaten Gennady Golovkin; he had even managed to take Khoren Gevor the full 12 rounds in their Inter-Continental title fight.  Murray put Khomitsky down twice and feels that his power will carry up to title level.

“I had Khomitsky down twice and the only person who has stopped him is Golovkin but we don’t know how Golovkin stopped him,” explained Murray.  “One of the times I had him down he was gone but it was the end of the round and he regrouped and came back.  Gevor fought him over twelve rounds and never had him down so it proves my power is up there at world level.”

If Murray is successful against Jomardashvili then his dream of a title fight may come true as the British Boxing Board of Control have nominated the 27-year-old to face English champion Darren McDermott before the end of May.

Murray admits that McDermott is a good operator but feels he has the tools to beat the champion.  “Darren is a good fighter, the same as all the top middleweights like Darren Barker, but I am ready for him and it’s a fight I know I can win.

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