BoxRec

Murray “I will shine in 2009”
British lightweight champion John Murray is aiming to make an early impression in 2009 and he believes he will become one of Britain’s new boxing stars this year.

The Manchester lightweight defends his British crown against Lee McAllister at the Robin Park Centre in Wigan on Saturday, 17th January 2009 in a fight that will be shown live on ITV4.

The Hennessy Sports show also features British boxing’s new biggest star, Manchester heavyweight Tyson Fury, who will have his second professional fight after an impressive knockout pro debut in December.

Murray makes the first defence of his British Title after winning the vacant belt by stopping former British champion and fellow Hennessy Sports boxer Lee Meager in July.

The unbeaten 24-year-old trained all over Christmas and New Year, so is in the mood to make challenger McAllister pay for ruining his festive period.

"2009 could be a massive year for me," said Murray.

"I can’t wait for this first defence. I want to show people what I’m made of and McAllister is going to pay for ruining my Christmas as I had to train all over it.

"Lee’s a quality operator and he’s worked hard to deserve his chance as mandatory challenger. He has built up a good record and following up there in Aberdeen and I hope a few of them come down on the night of the fight to make it a crackling atmosphere.

"I’ve trained all over Christmas and New Year for this, but the sacrifices make me even hungrier, and McAllister is going to get it for ruining my Christmas.

"If you want to make it to the top you need to do it and show your dedication, so I had no problem training on Christmas Day and staying in on New Year’s Eve.

"I’m looking to have a busy year and show everyone what I’m made of. I’m looking to be European champion by this time next year."
Tickets are available via the Ticketline Box Office on 0871 424 4444 or the web on http://www.ticketline.co.uk

So Murray is going to become one of Britain's new boxing stars...

But Fury is British Boxing's Biggest new star.

So Fury is a bigger star than Murray?

The Hennessy Sports show also features British boxing’s new biggest star, Manchester heavyweight Tyson Fury, who will have his second professional fight after an impressive knockout pro debut in December.

Who writes this crap? Beating a guy 5 stone lighter than you is not impressive. Tyson Fury is a terrible boxer.

Agreed. I think our Billy would beat him, even though he is retired.

Exoddus wrote: Tyson Fury is a terrible boxer.

I think that is both unfair and inaccurate when describing Tyson Fury.

Admittedly his debut was one of the most cynical pieces of matchmaking that I have seen in some time, but Tyson Fury didn't choose his opponent - blame the match maker, manager and promoter for that farce.

Still, despite the size disparity Fury did show the genesis of a decent skill set - he was jabbing with his hands up, switching to the body well (unusual for such a tall guy) and throwing his shots with decent speed.

For a young, inexperienced guy (less than 20 am fights if I remember rightly), he looked far from 'terrible' to me.

Sure, the hype machine is in over drive where he is concerned but I for one will cut him some slack and wait to see how he is looking 5 - 10 fights in before I write him off as terrible..

He certainly looked a far superior prospect to similarly sized young heavyweights Scott Belshaw and Ian Millarvie. (although I realise that is faint praise in some respects!)

As for John Murray - I look forward to his next outing. He is exciting, classy and I like the way he goes about the job. A great fighter for TV and I hope one day he can step up to fight for major titles on ITV1

Maelstrom wrote:So Murray is going to become one of Britain's new boxing stars...

But Fury is British Boxing's Biggest new star.

So Fury is a bigger star than Murray?

Biggest star, as in PHYSICALLY biggest!

TerribleTerry wrote:

Exoddus wrote: Tyson Fury is a terrible boxer.

I think that is both unfair and inaccurate when describing Tyson Fury.

Admittedly his debut was one of the most cynical pieces of matchmaking that I have seen in some time, but Tyson Fury didn't choose his opponent - blame the match maker, manager and promoter for that farce.

Still, despite the size disparity Fury did show the genesis of a decent skill set - he was jabbing with his hands up, switching to the body well (unusual for such a tall guy) and throwing his shots with decent speed.

For a young, inexperienced guy (less than 20 am fights if I remember rightly), he looked far from 'terrible' to me.

Sure, the hype machine is in over drive where he is concerned but I for one will cut him some slack and wait to see how he is looking 5 - 10 fights in before I write him off as terrible..

Yep, completely agree. I do worry that Fury will never be in great shape, though only time will tell.

I hope Fury is in better condition than for his pro debut. At this stage he's still a baby, so you can't expect too much opponents-wise but it would be good to see him improve his conditioning at this stage to show he's taking the game seriously. He looks to be one of those guys who is naturally "soft" like Juan Diaz or Enzo Macc. However, the belly is inexcusable!

black panther wrote:I hope Fury is in better condition than for his pro debut. At this stage he's still a baby, so you can't expect too much opponents-wise but it would be good to see him improve his conditioning at this stage to show he's taking the game seriously. He looks to be one of those guys who is naturally "soft" like Juan Diaz or Enzo Macc. However, the belly is inexcusable!

Look at Enzo Maccarinelli now though. He's hired a nutritionist and now looks ripped. Juan Diaz could also, I'm sure.

Give the lad a chance. Let's start judging him more sternly after 7/8 pro fights. He's at least entitled to that.

Fury too that fight on late notice I believe. Maybe not a lot of time to get physically, and mentally ready.

Anyway, we're getting off the subject. I reckon Murray will do well in '09. When he's beaten McAllister, I'm sure it'll have been a good workout. That should get him a good European rating.

To be fair to Fury , didint he just come back from honeymoon and was called to fight at last minute? I'm sure he will be in much better physical shape next time. Yep the opponent was limited but he looked to have good skills and speed for such a big fella

like to see murray moved on this year.

thaxton fight needs to come off for definite.

Didn't know about the honeymoon thing so that's fair enough. As for Murray-McAllister, I've only seen snippets of McAllister but I noticed he's got a couple of useful wins outpointing Mutu (who stopped Barry Morrison's unbeaten run and gave current WBA lightweight champ Paulus Moses a decent test) and stopping Craig Docherty. This could be a tough fight for Murray but I think he could force a stoppage in ten if he's on form.

Agree with Hitman - the Thaxton fight needs to happen but I have a feeling Hennessy will be looking to get Thaxton a world title shot of sorts after his excellent win over Melero

That debut was only a cameo for Tyson Fury.I believe they rushed him through for his pro licence to get on the show, so not the promotion's fault.

At the end of the day they got him a slot on national telly on his debut which aint bad going...

G0mez wrote:That debut was only a cameo for Tyson Fury.I believe they rushed him through for his pro licence to get on the show, so not the promotion's fault.

At the end of the day they got him a slot on national telly on his debut which aint bad going...

What a load of b*llocks!!!

Spud wrote:

G0mez wrote:That debut was only a cameo for Tyson Fury.I believe they rushed him through for his pro licence to get on the show, so not the promotion's fault.

At the end of the day they got him a slot on national telly on his debut which aint bad going...

What a load of b*llocks!!!

For once Spud, I agree with your succint and accurate appraisal of that post!

Maelstrom wrote:

Spud wrote:

G0mez wrote:That debut was only a cameo for Tyson Fury.I believe they rushed him through for his pro licence to get on the show, so not the promotion's fault.

At the end of the day they got him a slot on national telly on his debut which aint bad going...

What a load of b*llocks!!!

For once Spud, I agree with your succint and accurate appraisal of that post!

Please - it would be terrible for us to agree too often - lets make sure it does not happen again!!!

Anyhow back to the thread ...

Hennessy Sports are a professional outfit and as such why on earth would they rush through someone through a debut performance on so called terrestrial tv when the opportunity will come again shortly due to the longevity of Hennessy's contract with ITV - so please the excuse is as what I called "a load of b*llocks".

In addition if Tyson Fury is going to be taken seriously and I for one hope he succeeds - again - why on earth rush through a mere debut performance!!!

And as for not being the promoters fault - what an empty and extremely pathetic excuse - again Hennessy Sports being the professional outfit they are would not rush things through - but if they did - then its their responsibility - they are the promoters and they choose as when a fighter appears on their bills.

How can any serious boxing fan write off a fighter after he won his pro debut in the first round ?!?!?

He could have lost the fight, struggled, been dropped, or clean knocked out. Instead, he won in the first round. Job done.

The opponent was rubbish... they always are ! Fury is very young, very inexperienced, and it was apparently a short notice debut.

Heavyweight prospects normally face a complete sack of xxxx in their debut. The whole idea is to kick off his pro career with an early win. No matter who they bring in, there'll naturally be something to criticise about the opponent because the whole point is that they're going to get battered if all goes to plan; they'll either be too big and slow, too small, too old, too inexperienced, etc etc.

I'm sure one or two boxing forum muppets would be harping on about his lack of power if it had gone the distance, let alone if he'd only won or drawn. Maybe they'll also have the careers of Gavin, DeGale and Saunders completely sussed after their respective debuts in a few weeks time ?!?

Bernard Hopkins lost his pro debut but that didn't stop him having a pretty spectacular career.

Well done to Tyson Fury for getting his debut out of the way with minimal fuss.

JimJim2009 wrote:How can any serious boxing fan write off a fighter after he won his pro debut in the first round ?!?!?

Do you really want us to compile a list of fighters who won their debuts by first round KO, but achieved nothing?

Amongst that list would be some who looked promising and some who, despite the outcome, many still thought would go on to achieve nothing. Results in boxing do not always reveal the reality.

You kind of go on to misprove your own point by referring to Hopkins. That in itself underlines that a debut result is not always an indicator of future success.

JimJim2009 wrote:How can any serious boxing fan write off a fighter after he won his pro debut in the first round ?!?!?

He could have lost the fight, struggled, been dropped, or clean knocked out. Instead, he won in the first round. Job done.

The opponent was rubbish... they always are ! Fury is very young, very inexperienced, and it was apparently a short notice debut.

Heavyweight prospects normally face a complete sack of xxxx in their debut. The whole idea is to kick off his pro career with an early win. No matter who they bring in, there'll naturally be something to criticise about the opponent because the whole point is that they're going to get battered if all goes to plan; they'll either be too big and slow, too small, too old, too inexperienced, etc etc.

I'm sure one or two boxing forum muppets would be harping on about his lack of power if it had gone the distance, let alone if he'd only won or drawn. Maybe they'll also have the careers of Gavin, DeGale and Saunders completely sussed after their respective debuts in a few weeks time ?!?

Bernard Hopkins lost his pro debut but that didn't stop him having a pretty spectacular career.

Well done to Tyson Fury for getting his debut out of the way with minimal fuss.

Where do you start ripping f*ck out of the post above!!!

You will note for a start in my post I havn't really commented on the actual performance of Tyson Fury - other than I hope he succeeds!!!

My main point of joing this thread - was to lambast Gomez for his pathetic weak excuse he was given to the promoters of the show!!!

I will repeat I hope Fury succeeds - bloody good news if he does!!! - but for someone so keen and someone so young his physique needs to be worked on - which suggests he does not work too hard in the gym - maybe I am wrong but when he does step into reasonable class he will get caught out big time if he is not willing to put the hours and the work in!!!

Anyhow back to the thread title:

This Lee McAlister and John Murray fight could be a bloody good one you know and people should sit up and take notice of this fight!!! - its a good start to 2009 whoever wins it!!!

If Murray is on song then you have to say he is the hot favourite - but does anyone really know a lot about McAllister?? - remember seeing him once in London a couple or more years ago - the rest of the time he has boxed in Aberdeen - do people rate him - and could there be a shock in store?

I will get off the fence and say Murray - hopefully 2009 will see the lad get back on track and prove previous doubters like myself wrong - I hope he does - the promise he showed in the early years he started I honestly thought he would become a world champion - just a tadge worried he is a little easy to hit - got bags of stamina and courage but the vulnerability to getting hit as I have stated is a worry for me!!!

LOL If khan was to fight McAllister ppl would have accused him of fighting another featherfisted bum

I hope Murray wins this and get's a fight with Khan next

I don't see Mcallister living with Murray to be honest. Think he could get stopped around 7...

Maelstrom wrote:I don't see Mcallister living with Murray to be honest. Think he could get stopped around 7...

Its one of those intriguing fights!!!