Murray Hopes To Fight Katsidis For Marquez's WBO Belt

By Mark Vester

John Murray is hoping to get a crack at Michael Katsidis for the vacant WBO lightweight title of Juan Manuel Marquez. Marquez is expected to move up in weight to challenge WBA champion Amir Khan on December 11. If that happens the WBO will make Katsidis the full champion at the weight.

Murray must first make a mandatory defense of his European crown against Andriy Kudriavtsev in September and then will likely take part in a WBC eliminator against Mexican Daniel Estrada. He could see himself going for a major title by next summer.

“If Marquez fights Khan then he’ll probably vacate the belt so hopefully I can fight Katsidis for the title. But I also want to fight Marquez. He is a boxing great, a future Hall of Famer and someone I’d like to share the ring with. I want to be the best, so I’m prepared to take on the best to prove that. I’d definitely like to make my name in America. I’ve boxed over there and they’ve got behind me because they know I like to go for a tear up," Murray told Manchester Evening News.

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