Boxing News Boxing News
© Brian Peters Promotions
Brian Peters believes that the name Andy Murray is going to become very familiar to sports fans this year – and he’s not talking about the tennis player.
Irish boxing has it’s own rising star in Cavan’s Andy Murray and having just signed a managerial deal with Peters his new manager believes he can be Ireland’s next big boxing hero.
The three time Irish Senior amateur champ turned professional in 2005 and remains undefeated having so far racked up 16 straight wins while hardly losing a round and claiming Irish titles at both lightweight and light welterweight.
However, he’s also had to endure frustrating periods of inactivity but Peters is promising to keep him busy as he guides him towards a European and even World titles.
“Andy’s an exceptionally talented fighter but he has all the other attributes as well to make it to the very top,” enthused Peters. “He’s very marketable, he’s level headed, he has a great work ethic and he’s very focused on what he wants to achieve in boxing.
“His career has been a slow burning one to date but I believe he will really take off this year. His last win for the Irish lightweight title was very impressive. He won every round in that fight and McDonagh has gone on to have a couple of good wins since then.”
On turning pro Murray had signed with London based manager Michael Helliet but a lack of opportunities on the UK scene led Murray to return home. Peters said, “Mickey is a good boxing man but things just didn’t work out for Andy in England and with the pro scene buzzing here at the moment it makes sense for him to be based here.
“He’ll train up in Belfast at John Breen’s gym and that gym is really on a high with guys like Paul McCloskey, Martin Rogan and Stephen Haughian having had such a good 2008.”
Murray is delighted to have signed terms with Peters and believes it will prove the key to him fulfilling his undoubted potential.
“It was a very easy decision to make signing with Brian,” said Murray. “You only have to look at what he’s done for professional boxing in Ireland in the last few years and the job he’s done with people like Bernard Dunne, Paul McCloskey and others. Even last year when I wasn’t under contract with him he kept me busy with fights and it was great to get some TV exposure as well.”
While Peters begins working on the medium and long term goals of European and World titles Murray is happy to take it one fight at a time. “I just want to keep stepping up each and every time until I’m ready for those big fights. I know I’m not the finished article yet and you want to learn from each and every fight but I’ve no doubt Brian will deliver those fights for me and then when the chance at a major title comes along I’ll be ready for it.
Murray’s first outing under the new arrangement will come on February 7 when he features on Stephen Haughian: The Homecoming card at the Craigavon Leisure Centre with Peters planning on keeping him busy throughout 2009 and delivering some significant opportunities.
“Andy’s fight on February 7th should shake off any ring rust he’ll have and allow him to get an understanding with his new trainers, John Breen and Eamonn Magee. After that we’ll be looking to step up the level of competition and start directing him towards the European title. I have no doubt that Andy is capable of becoming European champion and once he’s at that level the world’s his oyster.”
