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John Murray wants Amir Khan after Andriy Kudriavtsev
The Manchester man has several goals, writes Chris McKenna
BRITISH lightweight champion John Murray is ready and waiting for a shot at a world title as he prepares to “do a number on” Ukrainian Andriy Kudriavtsev in his defence of the European crown on Saturday September 25.
Murray is undefeated after 29 fights and revealed he has been patiently awaiting a long overdue crack at one of the big boys in the division and would relish the opportunity to fight Australian Michael Katsidis, who dismantled Londoner Kevin Mitchell in three rounds back in May.
Katsidis is preparing to face Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez in November but Murray
revealed he could be next in line to face the Australian.
He said: “A world title fight is something I’ve wanted for a long time and I’m knocking on the door now.
“Katsidis has said he would love to come to England to fight me next after the Marquez fight, so I’m being thought about by the big names and it’s only a matter of time before I get one of those into the ring. I’m more than ready for it.
“I’ve been English, British and European champion so I’ve got the full CV and I just want to add that world title to it now.”
First, however, Murray must dispatch of Kudriavtsev and the Manchester fighter revealed his training and preparation have been meticulous ahead of the contest, though he’s not overly concerned by the threat the Ukrainian poses.
“We’ve studied the tapes of him and he looks a solid and decent opponent. It’s going to be a good battle but I’m sure I’ll come out on top.
“He’s a very good body puncher and he does all the basic things well. All boxers from Eastern Europe are good fighters and he’s no different. I have to make sure that I’m at my very best and make sure I take care of business on the night.
“The preparation for this fight has gone perfect, I couldn’t have asked for a better camp in getting ready for this fight. We’re just putting the final touches to everything at the moment.
“Once he hurts someone he jumps straight in on him but we’ve left no stone unturned in preparing for the fight, we’ve really done our homework. I’ve had to make sure I’m in great physical condition and I’m going to go in there and do an absolute number on him.”
Despite being undefeated Murray did lose his British title in June 2009 when he failed to make the lightweight limit for his defence against Scott Lawton but John soon regained the title by beating Jonathan Thaxton four months later.
And Murray moved to quash any doubts he struggles to make 9st 9lbs but hasn’t ruled out a move up to light-welterweight, especially if a fight with Amir Khan was proposed.
“The weight problem at the Lawton fight back then was just a one-off. I make the lightweight limit nice and easy. If I ever feel like I’m struggling to make the weight, I’ll move up, no problem. At the moment I’m focussed on lightweight and winning a world title in the division but I would move up a weight to fight someone like Khan if the opportunity presented itself.
“It’s something I’ve talked about with my team and trainers and if an opportunity ever came up to fight Khan, I would certainly go up a weight and fight him.”
I dont mean to be rude here, But what makes Murray even think he has earned the right to fight Khan? Who has he beaten? Thaxton? McAllister? All the people he fought were previously thrashed by Khan, He was almost outboxed by Yousef Al Hamidi who works full time as an Ice cream van driver!
Does John Murray deserve to fight Khan?
The Manchester man has several goals, writes Chris McKenna
BRITISH lightweight champion John Murray is ready and waiting for a shot at a world title as he prepares to “do a number on” Ukrainian Andriy Kudriavtsev in his defence of the European crown on Saturday September 25.
Murray is undefeated after 29 fights and revealed he has been patiently awaiting a long overdue crack at one of the big boys in the division and would relish the opportunity to fight Australian Michael Katsidis, who dismantled Londoner Kevin Mitchell in three rounds back in May.
Katsidis is preparing to face Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez in November but Murray
revealed he could be next in line to face the Australian.
He said: “A world title fight is something I’ve wanted for a long time and I’m knocking on the door now.
“Katsidis has said he would love to come to England to fight me next after the Marquez fight, so I’m being thought about by the big names and it’s only a matter of time before I get one of those into the ring. I’m more than ready for it.
“I’ve been English, British and European champion so I’ve got the full CV and I just want to add that world title to it now.”
First, however, Murray must dispatch of Kudriavtsev and the Manchester fighter revealed his training and preparation have been meticulous ahead of the contest, though he’s not overly concerned by the threat the Ukrainian poses.
“We’ve studied the tapes of him and he looks a solid and decent opponent. It’s going to be a good battle but I’m sure I’ll come out on top.
“He’s a very good body puncher and he does all the basic things well. All boxers from Eastern Europe are good fighters and he’s no different. I have to make sure that I’m at my very best and make sure I take care of business on the night.
“The preparation for this fight has gone perfect, I couldn’t have asked for a better camp in getting ready for this fight. We’re just putting the final touches to everything at the moment.
“Once he hurts someone he jumps straight in on him but we’ve left no stone unturned in preparing for the fight, we’ve really done our homework. I’ve had to make sure I’m in great physical condition and I’m going to go in there and do an absolute number on him.”
Despite being undefeated Murray did lose his British title in June 2009 when he failed to make the lightweight limit for his defence against Scott Lawton but John soon regained the title by beating Jonathan Thaxton four months later.
And Murray moved to quash any doubts he struggles to make 9st 9lbs but hasn’t ruled out a move up to light-welterweight, especially if a fight with Amir Khan was proposed.
“The weight problem at the Lawton fight back then was just a one-off. I make the lightweight limit nice and easy. If I ever feel like I’m struggling to make the weight, I’ll move up, no problem. At the moment I’m focussed on lightweight and winning a world title in the division but I would move up a weight to fight someone like Khan if the opportunity presented itself.
“It’s something I’ve talked about with my team and trainers and if an opportunity ever came up to fight Khan, I would certainly go up a weight and fight him.”
I dont mean to be rude here, But what makes Murray even think he has earned the right to fight Khan? Who has he beaten? Thaxton? McAllister? All the people he fought were previously thrashed by Khan, He was almost outboxed by Yousef Al Hamidi who works full time as an Ice cream van driver!
Does John Murray deserve to fight Khan?
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