John Murray has long been a favorite among the English boxing fraternity and the Manchester man delivered the goods against Lee Meager during a hard-nosed scrap in July, winning the British title. But keeping the belt could prove harder than winning it.

Just 24, Murray has racked up a 25-0 (13) record since joining the paid ranks over five years ago and saved his best performance for his most recent bout, a thrilling back and forth war against Salford's former British titlist Meager, who took too much punishment for referee Howard Foster to let continue past five rounds at Robin Park Centre in Wigan.

Murray will return to the same venue on January 17 when the Mancunian defends his belt for the first time by meeting the challenge of Scotland's "Aberdeen Assassin", Lee McAllister, trained by the famed Ingle family of Sheffield.

McAllister, 25-1 (5), doesn't have the same sterling reputation as the British champion but does bring a 20 bout win streak to Wigan, along with the WBU belts at both lightweight and light welter.

The 26 year old Scot has boxed above the welterweight limit on six occasions and will be the biggest man that Murray has ever faced as a professional. But that won't mean anything if McAllister can't nullify the edge in handspeed and footwork that Murray will likely enjoy in the pairing.

Despite losing in five rounds, Meager exposed a few weaknesses in Murray, who he found without any difficulty with bodyshots and a lead right hand but Meager's poor defense led to his downfall and McAllister must avoid the combination punching ability of Murray or he too will fail.

Share/Save | (0) comments | Add your comments
Click to read more boxing articles by Ricky Jones

Discuss in Boxing Forum

---

Related Boxing Articles...

• Scottish Boxing Hero Lee McAllister Says “Bring On The English!”

  Lee McAllister believes boxing away from his home in Aberdeen will bring out the best in him when he challenges John Murray for the British Lightweight title at the Robin >
  
  

• Hennessy Boxing: Murray Rubbishes McAllister, Vows To Hand Out A Beating To Scotsman

  

  John Murray is getting ready to make Lee McAllister pay for calling him a ‘cry baby’ when they fight for the Hennessy Sports boxer’s British Lightweight title on Saturday, January >
  
  

• British Boxing: John 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 >
  
  

• Boxing Trainer Joe Gallagher Moves Forward With Murrays, Macklin, Jeffries And Kayes

  

  Click for larger image © Al Stevenson Beijing Olympian Tony Jeffries is looking forward to his first professional >
  
  

• Murray, McAllister Make Weight For Tonight’s British Title Clash In Wigan

  Click for larger image © Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing **With Slideshow** Yesterday at the Wrightington Hotal and Country >
  
  

• Ringside Boxing Report: John Murray vs. Lee McAllister

  **With Slideshow** © Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing Last night at the Robin Park Arena in Wigan, England, Hennessy Sports hosted a fight night which saw Manchester's John Murray successfully defend his >
  
  

• Hennessy Boxing: British Champ Murray Scouts European Kingpin Thaxton Tonight In Norwich

  British Lightweight champion John Murray will be at the Norfolk Showground in Norwich tonight to keep a close eye on European champ, Jon Thaxton, as he makes the first defence >
  
  

• Boxing In Britain: Burns, McAllister, Arthur Win In Scotland

  The action last night in the UK took place on two shows north of the border at Glasgow and Aberdeen. At Glasgow's Bellahouston Sports Centre, Coatbridge stylist Ricky Burns retained his >
  
  

• Boxing Press Conference: John Murray Vs Lee McAllister

  **With Slideshow** © Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing Yesterday at the Wrightington Hotel and Country Club in Wigan, England, Hennessy Sports hosted a press conference ahead of Saturday's fight night headlined by >
  
  

• Boxing Info: Cruiserweight BJ Flores Becomes Advisor To Prospect Erick Vega

  Undefeated cruiserweight contender BJ Flores continues to expand his business interests beyond boxing and real estate in the Phoenix area, as he has taken on the role of advisor for >
  
  

---

Boxing News Tags: , John Murray, Lee McAllister, Lee Meager