Boxing News Boxing News
Winner could challenge for WBA Light Heavyweight title
Danny Green defends his IBF Pan Pacific Light Heavyweight title against Pan Asian Boxing
Association champion Paul Murdoch at the Melbourne State Netball and Hockey Centre this
Sunday, January 21.
The bout is seen as a step up light heavyweight rankings as Green continues to target WBA
Champion Silvio Branco but Team Green isn’t underestimating the heavy handed Murdoch.
Said Green’s manager Justin Manolikos, “We’re not looking past this fight with Paul Murdoch,
he’s a very tough, experienced fighter who went 11 rounds with WBO Champion Zsolt Erdei in
Erdei’s backyard. It’s going to be a tough fight, Murdoch is quite heavy fisted but we certainly
believe that Dan has the tools to take care of him.”
Green won the WBC Interim belt as a super middleweight but came up short against Anthony
Mundine last year in Australia’s highest ever grossing boxing match. Since then the Perth
puncher has moved to light heavyweight, knocking out Jason DeLisle in thrilling fashion, and
Manolikos is confident of Green’s chances at the higher weight.
“Danny is one of the fittest fighters out there and also one of the strongest pound for pound in
regards to punching power,” he said. “We don’t believe that by going up a division, he’d lose
any of his advantages; putting on those three extra kilos just allows him to be bigger and
stronger. We believe he still clearly has those advantages, and can certainly dominate most
light heavyweights out there.”
Team Green is banking on WBA Champion Silvio Branco defeating challenger Stipe Drews
in February, setting up another world title opportunity for “The Green Machine”.
“We had Danny lined up to fight Silvio Branco when the Italian was interim champion,” said
Manolikos. “But full champion Fabrice Tiozzo retired, Branco had to make his first defense
against the number one contender, Stipe Drews.
“So, we had to look at other ways to get Danny up the rankings and in the meantime hope
that Branco wins. Both Danny and Paul Murdoch are ranked in the WBA so whoever wins
this fight can expect to move up into the top five. All going to plan, Branco fights Stipe
Drews on February 24 in Germany, and if he wins, we believe that Branco will then agree
to come to Australia and fight Danny.”
Green Machine Promotions present “Lights Out” featuring Danny Green vs. Paul Murdoch
for the IBF Pan Pacific and PABA Light Heavyweight Championship belts along with full
undercard at the Melbourne State Netball and Hockey Centre in Melbourne, Australia on
Sunday, January 21. Doors open at 5:30 PM. Tickets available at www.ticketmaster.com.au
www.dannygreen.com.au
