Joe Gallagher: John Murray wants Amir Khan AND Ricky Hatton

[dbf]

John Murray's trainer speaks ahead of Saturday's showdown with Scott Lawton. Talks about inactivty, Lawton, Thaxton, the WBA light welterweight title, Khan and Hatton.

http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/BN08/detail.asp?id=1167

No new cult members to report, not just yet anyway.

Good stuff Tel. Going by Joe's comments you would think that a split with Hennessey isn't far off. I guess he's right, Fury and Barker are getting the big push at the moment.

Can't see Khan taking on Murray if he beats Kotelnik, just no real gain for him. So I would expect someone like M'baye or Branco (is he still fighting) as a first defence.

It is a shame for Murray because the Lawton and Thaxton fights should have already happened, and ideally John would be Euro Champ by now. If he beats Lawton in style is it really worth fighting Jono? Maybe he should go after a genuine top tenner or straight to the Euro Champ.

I like Joe G though, passionate and seems to be a good trainer so far. I agree with him about making Tony Jeffries look like a pro in his first fight, he definately looked different to the ams. Shame that partnership didnt pan out.

[fatton]

Never understood the moaning about the January to June inactivity myself. Barker was out from December - May which is the same time frame and I didn't hear any complaints there.

[Poncey]

At the same time? Gonna need a bigger ring.

[alexpaterson]

A fight with Khan wont happen till hes a word champ if Khan wins in against Kotelnik a fight with Murray would be to much risk for little money
He should split from Hennessy who appears more intrested in a 6 fight novice than he does with a good British champ who could definetly go further imo should go to Hayemaker who seem to get big, intresting and risky fights they are the way forward imo

[dbf]

Two different types of fighter. Plus, John was 2 fights for 2008, Barker 3, I think. Murray's style needs activity, the main bone of contention is the Thaxton debacle.

For the record I think Murray should stick with Mick, as the other option is not great, Mick has a track record for delivering titles.

By the other option do you mean the fledging 'Hatton Promotions'? I think Mick will come good with Murray and hopefully John will deliver when he does indeed step up.

[dbf]

A fight with Khan wont happen till hes a word champ if Khan wins in against Kotelnik a fight with Murray would be to much risk for little money
He should split from Hennessy who appears more intrested in a 6 fight novice than he does with a good British champ who could definetly go further imo should go to Hayemaker who seem to get big, intresting and risky fights they are the way forward imo

Hayemaker are possibly without TV at the mo, at least Mick has a bit left on his ITV4 contract.

[leforge]

I imagine Hayemaker would be attractive to sky. Whats happening with Hatton promotions?

[Autobarn]

With Thaxton out the way - when Murray's got by Lawton and then Thaxton - then it will probably be a no brainer that Murray gets pushed forward.

Khan AND Hatton sounds a bit of a long shot, but I hope Murray gets those kind of fights.

[sweetscience]

he shouldnt bother with Thaxton... that fight has zero appeal to me

get lawton out of the way, then get the euro champ, then move onwards and upwards

[Finch]

Fat mick is too up Fury's old man's arse.

Murray is better sacking him off and reading between the lines he will.

[hitman_hatton1]

murray needs some momentum.

i'd almost forgotten about him until he popped up in the predictions list for this month.

thaxton fight has to be made.

khan is off the radar for now.

warren won't make it all the time he's with hennessy.

[Pugilist-specialist]

Two different types of fighter. Plus, John was 2 fights for 2008, Barker 3, I think. Murray's style needs activity, the main bone of contention is the Thaxton debacle.

For the record I think Murray should stick with Mick, as the other option is not great, Mick has a track record for delivering titles.

Terry you've pedalled this line before. Murray was scheduled to box in December - why don't you tell us how he really sustained his injury. As for Ricky Hatton DD DD DD DD keep 'em coming DD DD DD

[black panther]

By the sounds of it they're looking past Lawton. I sincerely hope not as I see Lawton giving Murray a tough fight because of his style but ultimately folding in the latter stages of the fight. But if Murray is not on form I could easily envisage Lawton nicking the fight on points. I like Murray, he's a hard-working, likeable "pro's pro" but if I'm honest I think Khan is a level above him. The Lawton fight will be a good yardstick to compare him to Khan. I'll be pleasantly surprised if he does a job on Lawton like Khan did.

[whiteboy]

warren won't make it all the time he's with hennessy.

nail...head...etc