http://www.manchestereveningnews.co....back_time__joe
Now it's payback time - Joe
James Robson
January 14, 2010
JOE Murray missed out on Christmas and his 22nd birthday celebrations - and now he's ready to make an unknown Georgian pay for it.
Murray has been deep in training for his sixth professional fight, when next week he takes on the undefeated George Mchedlishvili on the undercard of Rob Norton's clash with David Dolan.
It will be the former Olympian's first outing in 2010 - a year when he is expected to really make his mark on the British scene.
Trainer Joe Gallagher has hopes of turning the featherweight into a British champion before the end of the year - just as he managed with Murray's older brother, John.
But if the Levenshulme fighter is to claim a belt in double-quick time, he knows he can't afford any slip-ups in these early days as a pro.
Which is why he was happy to give up the Christmas festivities in favour of preparing for Mchedlishvili.
"I am in great shape," said Murray. "I've been in the gym over Christmas and my birthday so someone's got to take the pain.
Murray verdict
"I am really happy with my first year. I am getting the fights in pretty regularly and feeling pretty good. The last two fights have been stoppages so it looks like I'm adapting to being a pro more and more with every fight." November's second round stoppage of Barrington Brown was arguably his best showing of 2009 as he became increasingly impressive with every bout of his fledgling career.
"It was a good win for me," he said. "Joe kept Barrington Brown's record away from me and just told me he could punch a bit so after the fight I wasn't really impressed as I just thought he was another person.
"After I heard what he had done in the past it made the win a much better achievement. He had never been stopped before so stopping him shows people I have power.
"Brown is also a super-featherweight and I proved I can punch at super-featherweight so when I get down to super-bantamweight I am sure I can stop opponents too."
Murray's potential was enough to convince Ricky Hatton to snap him up for his own promotions company and the Hitman believes he has Manchester's next boxing hero on his hands.
Hatton has already landed his brother, Matthew, a world title clash with Lovemore N'dou at the end of last year and secured a European middleweight title for Matthew Macklin.
"I'd take a title chance with both hands if Joe thinks I am ready for it," he said. "I have been with Joe since I the age of 13 and I keep saying he's like a father figure to me, so if he thinks I can win then I'm sure I'll grab it with both hands and take my opportunity and hopefully grab the title."
Now its payback time - Joe Murray
Re: Now its payback time - Joe Murray
tyson wrote:http://www.manchestereveningnews.co....back_time__joe
Now it's payback time - Joe
James Robson
January 14, 2010
JOE Murray missed out on Christmas and his 22nd birthday celebrations - and now he's ready to make an unknown Georgian pay for it.
Murray has been deep in training for his sixth professional fight, when next week he takes on the undefeated George Mchedlishvili on the undercard of Rob Norton's clash with David Dolan.
It will be the former Olympian's first outing in 2010 - a year when he is expected to really make his mark on the British scene.
Trainer Joe Gallagher has hopes of turning the featherweight into a British champion before the end of the year - just as he managed with Murray's older brother, John.
But if the Levenshulme fighter is to claim a belt in double-quick time, he knows he can't afford any slip-ups in these early days as a pro.
Which is why he was happy to give up the Christmas festivities in favour of preparing for Mchedlishvili.
"I am in great shape," said Murray. "I've been in the gym over Christmas and my birthday so someone's got to take the pain.
Murray verdict
"I am really happy with my first year. I am getting the fights in pretty regularly and feeling pretty good. The last two fights have been stoppages so it looks like I'm adapting to being a pro more and more with every fight." November's second round stoppage of Barrington Brown was arguably his best showing of 2009 as he became increasingly impressive with every bout of his fledgling career.
"It was a good win for me," he said. "Joe kept Barrington Brown's record away from me and just told me he could punch a bit so after the fight I wasn't really impressed as I just thought he was another person.
"After I heard what he had done in the past it made the win a much better achievement. He had never been stopped before so stopping him shows people I have power.
"Brown is also a super-featherweight and I proved I can punch at super-featherweight so when I get down to super-bantamweight I am sure I can stop opponents too."
Murray's potential was enough to convince Ricky Hatton to snap him up for his own promotions company and the Hitman believes he has Manchester's next boxing hero on his hands.
Hatton has already landed his brother, Matthew, a world title clash with Lovemore N'dou at the end of last year and secured a European middleweight title for Matthew Macklin.
"I'd take a title chance with both hands if Joe thinks I am ready for it," he said. "I have been with Joe since I the age of 13 and I keep saying he's like a father figure to me, so if he thinks I can win then I'm sure I'll grab it with both hands and take my opportunity and hopefully grab the title."
Good luck Joe Think you could turn out The best of the bunch Shame you dont get the press and publicity the other lads do But just keep winning and doing you job x One day some big promoter will take you where you should be
Re: Now its payback time - Joe Murray
JOE Murray missed out on Christmas and his 22nd birthday celebrations - and now he's ready to make an unknown Georgian pay for it.
They didn't have any unknown Latvians or Africans available?
Re: Now its payback time - Joe Murray
Looking at Murrays opponents record http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_ ... &cat=boxer he is undefeated out of 6 bouts and has beaten the Boxer http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_ ... &cat=boxer Foster jnr is fighting who was stopped in 3 by Don Broadhurst.and lost on points to mathew Edonds
Re: Now its payback time - Joe Murray
Problem I see Joe having is finding the opponents in europe to test him and push him forwards and upwards. Not that big a pool is there. In saying that the division has become very active over the last 24 months or so what with Munroe et al...
I do feel he's one of the best cross over lads. Gavin, De Gale then Murray for me (in that order).
I do feel he's one of the best cross over lads. Gavin, De Gale then Murray for me (in that order).