DAILY EXPRESS, NIALL HICKMAN, 2/5/07–Murray wins Oscar award
Posted: 02 May 2007, 07:21
DAILY EXPRESS, NIALL HICKMAN, 2/5/07 – Murray wins Oscar award
JOHN MURRAY has come a long way from the mean streets of Manchester to the Mecca of boxing, but the unbeaten fighter now has a taste for the big time.
Murray, 22, voted best young British boxer last year by the Writer’s association gets the chance to win an army of admirers as he prepares to fight on the mammoth Oscar de la Hoya-Floyd Mayweather bill in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Murray is at that stage in his career when he must step up to global class although he is still bitter over a spat with fellow Lancastrian Amir Khan.
Murray was incensed when Khan claimed he had ‘played’ with him when the pair sparred as teenagers, understandable as the Athens Olympic hero has now admitted it was a case of mistaken identity – Khan meant Murray’s younger brother, who used to box. It was a slur too far for Murray, who has compiled a terrific record since turning pro.
“Amir has fought absolutely no one since becoming a professional – he has to learn some humility,” said Murray, who was so angry he offered Khan a place in the ring opposite him on Saturday night in Las Vegas, an invitation which did not come to fruition.
Instead, Khan faces his toughest opponent to date on July 14when he will attempt to topple the Commonwealth lightweight champion, Willie Limmond, an experienced and durable fighter who has lost only once, to European champion Alex Arthur.
Murray said: “Limond is at least a step in the right direction. But he is small and doesn’t hit hard. Amir could beat him and then we will try to get a fight between ourselves to see who ‘plays’ with who.”
Murray’s opponent for his Las Vegas debut has yet to be named, but he is just delighted to be part of the atmosphere.
They don’t come much bigger than Mayweather, regarded as the No. 1 pound for pound fighter in the world, against the ‘The Golden Boy,’ de la Hoya.
Murray said: “It is massive. I have never seen anything like the hype that has surrounded this fight.
“It is amazing to be part of that. I cannot wait to get in the ring.
“It is a fight that has everyone talking. But myself and London’s John O’Donnell are on the undercard and we want the Americans to realise there are two tasty Brits out there ready to step up and win world titles.”
JOHN MURRAY has come a long way from the mean streets of Manchester to the Mecca of boxing, but the unbeaten fighter now has a taste for the big time.
Murray, 22, voted best young British boxer last year by the Writer’s association gets the chance to win an army of admirers as he prepares to fight on the mammoth Oscar de la Hoya-Floyd Mayweather bill in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Murray is at that stage in his career when he must step up to global class although he is still bitter over a spat with fellow Lancastrian Amir Khan.
Murray was incensed when Khan claimed he had ‘played’ with him when the pair sparred as teenagers, understandable as the Athens Olympic hero has now admitted it was a case of mistaken identity – Khan meant Murray’s younger brother, who used to box. It was a slur too far for Murray, who has compiled a terrific record since turning pro.
“Amir has fought absolutely no one since becoming a professional – he has to learn some humility,” said Murray, who was so angry he offered Khan a place in the ring opposite him on Saturday night in Las Vegas, an invitation which did not come to fruition.
Instead, Khan faces his toughest opponent to date on July 14when he will attempt to topple the Commonwealth lightweight champion, Willie Limmond, an experienced and durable fighter who has lost only once, to European champion Alex Arthur.
Murray said: “Limond is at least a step in the right direction. But he is small and doesn’t hit hard. Amir could beat him and then we will try to get a fight between ourselves to see who ‘plays’ with who.”
Murray’s opponent for his Las Vegas debut has yet to be named, but he is just delighted to be part of the atmosphere.
They don’t come much bigger than Mayweather, regarded as the No. 1 pound for pound fighter in the world, against the ‘The Golden Boy,’ de la Hoya.
Murray said: “It is massive. I have never seen anything like the hype that has surrounded this fight.
“It is amazing to be part of that. I cannot wait to get in the ring.
“It is a fight that has everyone talking. But myself and London’s John O’Donnell are on the undercard and we want the Americans to realise there are two tasty Brits out there ready to step up and win world titles.”