SKY Sports have singled out Hennessy Sports promoted John Murray as their “Shooting Star’ for 2006. Pundit Jim Watt selected the Manchester fighter as the one to watch following a spectacular year that saw him make sensational debuts in America and Canada and, last time out on a SKY televised event, become the first ever British fighter to win a WBC World Youth Championship.

"I turned 21 on Tuesday, so this made a good present," said Murray. "It goes without saying that I am chuffed to bits. Some good fighters have won this in the past, including Ricky Hatton, so I will be looking to follow in their footsteps."

SKY filmed a feature on Murray earlier this week that will be run over the Christmas period on their dedicated news channel. He should be appearing frequently on the network next year as he continues his rapid progress.

"Even though I am now in Championship class, I still want to keep very busy," added Murray. "I would like to fight five or six times over the next 12 months, including a couple of defences of my new title. Hopefully we can also look at domestic and possibly even European honours."

First though, the Steve Wood managed fighter will be taking a well-earned break following the head swelling he suffered when beating Nacho Mendoza, (for the WBC Youth Crown), on the December 2nd Hennessy Sports 'Cold-Blooded Predator' promotion.

"The bruising has completely gone down, but you cannot be too careful," Murray explained. "I’m going to give my body a good rest over the next couple of weeks. That fight against Mendoza was a real war."

So much so that many have called it as one of their fights of the year. Neither boxer took a backward step for the duration, instead opting to battle it out in the centre of the ring until Murray was awarded a Technical Decision after eight rounds when his injury prevented him from continuing.

"I quite enjoyed myself in there," said Murray. "I admit I got involved in a bit of war, but I am always confident that I have the strength to deal with anyone, even Mendoza.

"He was very tough. He took a lot of punishment and still kept coming back with more. Mendoza is definitely the best I have faced to date, I think he can still go on to win big things.

"People have said to me since that he was a lot better than some of the opponents who come over and challenge British fighters for so called world titles. I have to agree with that.

"I would like to see Kevin Mitchell fighting Mendoza. That would give us a yard-stick as to how good he really is."

Click to read more boxing articles by Boxing Press

Discuss in Boxing Forum | Send to a friend.

---

Related Boxing Articles...

• British Boxing: Meager vs. Murray For Lightweight Title July 11 In Wigan

  Hennessy Sports in association with GoldenPalace.net are proud to announce the all-Manchester showdown between Lee Meager and John Murray for the vacant British Lightweight title at the Robin Park Arena >
  
  

• British Boxing: Murray Will Tamper With Limonds Chances

  Harlow hitter Steve Murray reckons a tampon will help him batter Willie Limond on February 18 at Edinburgh's Meadowbank Stadium. Murray challenges Glaswegian Limond for the Vacant WBU World Lightweight >
  
  

• British Olympic Boxing: Flying the Flag - The Great Eight

  As British hopefuls prepare for the boxing in Beijing this weekend, today it seems that ʼfavouriteʼ Frankie Gavin is struggling to make the lightweight limit and may not get his >
  
  

• British Boxing: Murray Named “Young Boxer of the Year’, Will Campaign At Lightweight

  Hennessy Sports promoted John Murray, who will now campaign at lightweight, has been voted by the Boxing Writer’s Club as “Britain’s Young Boxer of the Year’. “This means everything to >
  
  

• British Boxing: Meager, Murray Face To Face In Manchester

  Ahead of their vacant British Lightweight title clash on Friday, July 11, 2008 at Robin Park Arena in Wigan, England, combatants Lee Meager, 21-2 (8), and John Murray, 24-0 (12), >
  
  

• Gatti Having Weight Troubles.

  As first reported on this site, WBC light welterweight champion Arturo "Thunder" Gatti is having a problem making the light welterweight limit of 140-pounds. The Montreal man now based in >
  
  

• Hennessy Sports Boxing: John Murray Calls Out Amir Khan

  British lightweight title challenger John Murray is offering to be Amir Khan’s next opponent on September 6, 2008. Former unbeaten English champion Murray faces fellow Manchester boxer Lee Meager for the >
  
  

• Olympic Boxing: Team Great Britain Reduced As Murray Loses In Beijing

  Billy Joe and Bradley Sauders move into second round of competition After a fantastic 3 out of 3 for British boxers in Beijing, sadly, the team suffered itʼs first defeat >
  
  

• Hennessy Sports Boxing: Murray To Strike Blow For Manchester City

  © Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing John Murray is confident he can win the British Lightweight title this Friday, July 11 and strike a blow for Manchester City over Manchester United. Undefeated >
  
  

• WBC Boxing News: Witter vs. Harris Meets Safety Requirements

  From WBC President Jose Sulaiman: The WBC executive offices received the following communication from Medical Control Chairman Luis Escalona: Dear friends, These lines are to inform you that all W.B.C. >
  
  

---