Martin Murray is an exciting, unbeaten middleweight boxer from St Helens, England currently ranked 4th in the World by the WBA.

He is the Commonwealth, British and WBA International title holder, trains under Oliver Harrison and is managed by Hatton Promotions.

Murray has tremendous support as a boxer, and always brings an 'energetic' crowd with him to his fights which creates an electric atmosphere at any venue. He is truly grateful for the support he gets. Now at 28 years old, Martin is looking to get the high profile fights and titles.

A brief history

Murray has always been actively involved in boxing but didn't start training properly until he was 10 years old, and this was mainly because his best friend at the time was doing it.

He was trained by John Chisnall, manager of the Glass Boxing Gym in St Helens, who was responsible for training most of the fighters in the area. John had a big impact on a lot of the young people in the area, and over the years Martin became very close to him.

Martin’s amateur career spanned over 14 years. He had his first fight at just 11 years old and his last fight at 25; although he is keen to point out that there were lots of breaks in between.

Martin grew up watching fighters like Nigel Benn, Chris Eubank and Prince Naseem when British boxing seemed at a high during this era in the 80's. Although he enjoyed watching the fights, he wasn’t influenced by the fighters, but more influenced about wanting to be able to fight on the same stage as them.

During his amateur career, Murray won the ABA's at welterweight and had the opportunity to box for England until his career took a setback because of events outside the ring. More...

Earnie Dee Shaver (born August 31, 1945), better known as Earnie Shavers, is a retired American professional boxer and is widely considered the hardest puncher of all time.

Muhammad Ali, Joe Bugner, Larry Holmes, Randall "Tex" Cobb, Ron Lyle and Ken Norton all credited Shavers as being the hardest puncher they had ever faced in the ring.

Shavers took up boxing at the late age of 22, yet two weeks later he won his first ever fight by knocking out Jim Daniels in the first round.

Earnie worked out daily in Warren, Ohio. He was generally in and out of the top ten ratings for no less than about a ten year period.

Shavers is listed as 10 on Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time. His right uppercut and cross were his two biggest shots.

But as Angelo Dundee once respectfully said of Shavers, 'He can get you out of there with any shot'.

Shavers was a heavy-handed puncher who stalked his opponents in order to set them up for his thunderous right, which accounted for many of his knockouts.

Sometimes ungraceful and without accuracy, Earnie was known to exhaust himself before round seven, perhaps due to a lack of proper training facilities, and critics argued he rarely won a bout that went longer than eight rounds. But he fought Ali well for 15 rounds and Holmes for 11.

Earnie would throw punches against any legal area he could reach, exposed or covered, relying on his tremendous power to wear down his opponents and exploiting any opening. More...

Coach Kevin Campion is an Essex based professional Boxing Coach licensed by the British Boxing Board of Control.

Campion has had coaching experience alongside legendary boxing trainer Bobby Rimmer. Bobby was former assistant trainer to ex-World Champion Ricky Hatton, British Champion Michael Gomez and current European Champion Matthew Hatton and a former trainer of Olympic Bronze medalist Tony Jefferies.

Kevin has worked alongside Bobby with Rimmer's current stable of excellent fighters and English Light Middleweight Champion Brian Rose, Commonwealth Super Featherweight Challenger Jon Kays, to name but a few.

Campion coaches out of Old Ironworks Gym in Maldon, Essex and has two great young prospects under his wing at the moment in Luke Fowler and Scott Hartley.

SaddoBoxing: Could you tell us how you got into boxing Kevin and how you got into training fighters?

Kevin Campion: I used to box myself as an amateur and on the unlicensed circuit but I had to give up at a really young age due to sight problems caused by headaches I was having through my teens. So, I was advised to stop. But all I have ever wanted to do was coach even at that young age so I stayed involved, coaching amateurs and white collar fighters before working alongside Bobby Rimmer. I was then convinced to turn pro and haven't looked back since. Loving every minute of it.

SB: Kevin could you tell us about the boxers you train today and the boxers that you have worked with in the past?

KC: Currently, I train Luke Fowler, an 18 year old light welterweight who has had one pro fight, which he won and Scott Hartley, a former Scottish International amateur who is a super middleweight and debuts this Sunday at York Hall, Bethnal Green. I have worked with many fighters over the years but only been pro since March 2011. So when I turned pro I made a clean break from all other fighters I had (amateur, white collar) so I could concentrate on the pros. I have mainly worked alongside Bobby and his stable of fighters. More...

Bradley "Super" Skeete defeated Jay Morris, an experienced fighter and former British Masters Light Welterweight titlist, on the Ricky Burns v Michael Katsidis undercard on Saturday night at the Wembley Arena in London.

Skeete had controlled the fight from the opening bell and the pressure paid off early in the fifth as the referee stopped the contest to hand the Penge fighter a fifth successive victory since turning pro last October.

Promising welterweight Bradley, who was fresh in the ring just two weeks after defeating Steve Spence on points, showed his greater athleticism and slick stylish skills as his movement caused Morris problems.

The 33-year-old could hardly land any shots as Skeete worked the outside of the ring and continued to find success. This young 24 year old from Penge in London is definitely a star of the future and will be a welcomed addition to the hotbed of welterweight talent that already exists both in the UK and the United States of America.

SaddoBoxing had the pleasure of interviewing Bradley on the eve of his fight with Jay Morris and this is what he
had to say.

SaddoBoxing: How did you get into boxing and what age did you start?

Bradley Skeete: My dad got me into boxing. He worked for my amateur coach, Sid Khan, who runs Earlsfield ABC. I started going down the gym when I was seven years old.

SB: Who has been the biggest inspiration in your career so far?

BS: My biggest inspiration in my career so far has been my daughter Alyssia, two years old. I want to be able to give her the best upbringing I can so when it gets hard I just think of her. More...

SaddoBoxing recently had the pleasure of conducting an interview with Michael Jennings, former WBU, British and English welterweight champion.

The 34 year old from Chorley, England turned pro in 1999, winning the English title in 2004 against Chris Saunders, capturing the British belt in 2005 against Jimmy Vincent before losing it on his second defense to Young Mutley.

In 2007, Jennings defeated Takaloo to annex the WBU crown, making a defense before stepping up to unsuccessfully challenge Miguel Cotto for the vacant WBO title in 2009.

Jennings last fought in August, 2010, suffering a fifth round stoppage at the hands of Kell Brook in a WBO title eliminator that was also for the British and WBO Intercontinental belts.

Michael's boxing record to date is 36 (KO 17) wins with 3 (KO 2) losses and the sharp punching stylist talks exclusively to SaddoBoxing about his beginnings in the sport, his boxing heroes, his comeback plans and much more.

SaddoBoxing: What got you into the sport of boxing?

Michael Jennings: My older brother Raymond went to the gym about six years before me and for some reason, everyone at my school thought I was a boxer. I wanted to go down and try but never got around to it. My younger brother David went, then the following week I went myself and never looked back.

SB: I know that you have had a shoulder injury; how hard has your road to recovery been and how hard has it been to be kept out of the ring since you last fought Kell Brook for the WBO Inter-Continental and British welterweight title in September, 2010?

MJ: It as been one of the worst things I have had to do. I have been boxing for 22 years and never had longer than two weeks out of the gym in all that time. Since I have had the injury I have not trained properly for three months and it as been a complete transition in my way of life. More...

Dublin born Jamie "The Nuisance" Kavanagh is a talented young Irish boxer based in Los Angeles, California who fights out of the Golden Boy Promotions stable and currently trains at the Wild Card Gym under legendary trainer Freddie Roach and Sedano Ruiz.

Kavanagh is a natural in the truest sense of the word; few individuals in any sport have received as many national and international accolades at such a young age. Walking into the Crumlin boxing gym at the tender age of 10 and beginning to compete at the age of 11, Jamie racked up over 180 wins in his amateur career, while losing only twelve bouts.

From the years 2001 to 2009, Jamie attained no less than seven Irish national titles and six regional titles. Since turning pro as a light welter in May, 2010, Kavanagh, now 21 years of age, has recently fought as a lightweight, decisioning Marcos Herrera in July to improve his record to 8-0 (3).

SaddoBoxing: What got you into boxing in the first place? Which fighters have inspired you?

Jamie Kavanagh: Boxing has always been in the family and it's just one of the things you're gonna try out when it's your time. There's a lot of fighters who have inspired me. I train with two, Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan. They have done so much - Manny has eight different titles in different weights.

Also, the way Khan started at such a young age and came through everything, the ups and the downs and now he's world champion. All through the years, there have been so many [inspirational fighters] and just too many to mention cause today I sparred one in Manny Pacquiao and saw one spar today, which was Amir Khan in the the gym, which is weird. More...

After avenging his only professional loss by decisioning Brian Vera in a rematch earlier this month, Irish middleweight Andy Lee is likely heading for his first world title opportunity.

The lanky southpaw took time to speak with SaddoBoxing about his beginnings in the sport, trainer Emanuel Steward and many more facets of his five year pro career.

SaddoBoxing: How did you get into boxing or/and what made you start boxing?

Andy Lee: I started boxing at the Repton Boxing Club in London, England. I grew up in a boxing household with my two older brothers both boxing and after us my younger brother boxed too.

SB: What are your ambitions in boxing, and have they changed since you first turned pro?

AL: My ambition since turning pro has always been the same. Become champion of the world. I believe I'm close to achieving it; 1-3 fights away.

SB: What is it like working with the legendary trainer Emanuel Steward and how important is he to your boxing future?

AL: I've been with Emanuel since turning pro. I live with him and his nephew and assistant trainer Javan Hill in Detroit. Everyday with Emanuel and Javan is a learning experience. Being there in the house and in the Kronk Gym, it's a boxing environment. There's old guys in the gym like Lee Crenshaw, Floyd Longan and Keith Lee that have seen it all, all those great Kronk fighters over the years and they're always there with a word of advice during sparring.

SB: Can you give me an example of what you do in your hardest training session?

AL: For preparation for the Vera fight we brought in two sparring partners Carlos Molina and Steve Rolls. Along with K9 [Cornelius Bundrage] and the fighters that are in the Kronk there was lots of hard sparring sessions. In our gym we believe sparring is key. We don't do a lot of bag work and only work the pads in the last week or two. We spar a lot and everyone in the gym is competitive. More...

Don't Miss ABC News' Spotlight On Ginamarie Russo Coming Next Month!

I recently had a chance to catch up with Brooklynite, Sechew Powell, 26-2 (15KO), at Trinity Boxing in NYC. Ironically, Powell was born in the same part of Brooklyn, known as Brownsville, as my father was born in.

Powell says that the neighborhood's culture has changed since then, "When your father was there, it used to be mostly Italian immigrants." Now it is an ethnically dense part of the borough. But that's not the only similarity between the two; my father Jack also boxed as an amateur.

Now Powell resides in a different neighborhood these days, yet loyally living in Brooklyn. I gave Powell the opportunity to be featured on my interview segment that will be airing on the ABC news network, the first week of June.

The inside look focuses on my knuckle replacement surgery done by Dr Charles Melone, my life in the entertainment industry, and my involvement with boxing. Cameras followed him and I as we freely discussed his career.

Powell is very enthralled in his training. Although the producers requested that he continue to workout (it was his second workout of the day), Powell was nothing short of energetic and gracious.

As I observed him, I noticed he is not distracted by the crowded gym and he can hold a conversation with me quite perfectly as he hit the speedbag, shadow boxed and jump roped effortlessly. I was more than pleased that my choice to feature a boxer was the soft spoken Mr. Powell, especially after learning of exciting news. More...

Click the above Image for more Photos from Jane Warburton

Tuesday, Saddoboxing went along to Shinfield’s Gym in Somercotes, Derbyshire, to check in on European and Commonwealth Super-Bantamweight Champion - Rendall Munroe.

News came out last week that Munroe had switched promoters and is now under the wing of Hatton Promotions.

Munroe’s Manager – Mike Shinfield and Trainer – Jason Shinfield were keen for everyone to know that there has been no ‘fall-out’ with Mr. Maloney.

“We appreciate all he’s done for us and Rendall over the years” Jason began,

“We went out to Japan and Rendall fought well against Toshiaka – losing on points but the rounds were close, that proved what a Champion he is. After that, he took a well-earned break but once back in the gym he didn’t like the thought of going back down to fighting 8-rounders…it wasn’t an incentive. More...

© Dominic Serna Dominicserna.com

After a 49 second knockout victory in his pro debut on March 25Th 2010, Randy Caballero had hit the professional boxing scene with both feet running.

Six consecutive victories later, already has this young fighter from Coachella Valley, California will participate as Co-Main event on Telefutura's popular Solo Boxing series March 4Th 2011. Caballero will face his eighth opponent in less then twelve months, hoping to keep his undefeated streak alive.

The fact that a young fighter who has been professional less then a year is being granted such honors speaks volumes on his abilities, yet that is far from the most impressive accomplishment on his short pro resume.

Caballero is signed with one of boxing's biggest promotional companies, Golden Boy Promotions, putting him in the company of such great champions as Juan Manuel Marquez, Abner Mares and Marcos Maidana. Randy has also served as a sparring partner for Mares and Nonito Donaire, two of the sport's most regarded fighters under 135lbs.

It would seem from what has been written thus far that Randy has had a fairly easy time heading toward the fast track of success, yet the young man is no stranger to adversity.

After a long amateur career that started when Randy was just eight years old, he knew early on that boxing was his passion. Having over 170 amateur bouts, several national title wins and a visit to Turkey where he won a bronze medal representing the United States in the Junior Olympics, shortly afterward would Randy injure his hand while training one afternoon. More...

"Right now my concentration is on Craig McEwan!"

Middleweight Andy Lee is a fighter that makes people excited to talk about, with his punching power, fan friendly style, ever increasing improvement in each bout and easy going demeanor leaves no question on why that is.

So far Lee has done everything right, with the exception of a small stumble in 2008 when he admittedly overlooked Bryan Vera there has been little to make people doubt Lee can make it to the top of his craft.

When you look at those in the corner of Lee, especially Emanuel Steward, it adds to the certainty that when any future problems should arrive the experience is there to help make the adjustments needed before anything could happen to derail Andy’s progress.

Recently Lee was slated to face another popular Irish middleweight John Duddy; fans have talked about a showdown between the two fighters for years now as both men possess the all out offensive attacks that makes for an action packed bout. When Duddy suddenly announced his retirement without notice it not only ended the prospects of such a fan friendly bout but caught everyone, including Lee, by surprise.

Andy, not one to seemingly dwell on things career-wise, immediately did what was best for his progress and continued his plans to fight sooner then later, on March 12th Lee will face another upcoming middleweight the undefeated Craig McEwan at the Foxwoods resort and casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. A win over McEwan will put Lee in line for one of the middleweight division’s title belts somewhere down the road.

SaddoBoxing was able to speak with Andy, who is currently training in Ireland and preparing to come to the United States to finish his camp. We discussed his progress thus far, the loss to Vera in 2008, his feelings on the Duddy bout not materializing, his maturing as a fighter and of course the upcoming bout with McEwan. Read it here exclusively on SaddoBoxing.

SaddoBoxing: I know you are back Home in Ireland right now and your schedule is busy, but how are things? Are you in preparation for your upcoming March bout with Craig McEwan?

Andy Lee: Yes I have been training, doing cardio, working hard on stamina, I will be going to Florida soon to work on my boxing, getting my sparring in but I am training hard to get ready for the bout. More...

© Robert M / Saddo Boxing

SaddoBoxing had the opportunity to attend the 29th Annual Miracle on 1st St. toy giveaway, held at the Hollenbeck Youth Center in East Los Angeles, CA.

On hand were several professional boxers, along with amateur boxers. Actor Tom Arnold was also there, helping out in the event and over 1,000 people stood in line to accept toys from community leaders.

Also in attendance were The Laker Girls, who put on quite the performance and the city's Mayor.

As the event was still getting underway and the last arrangements were being made by the volunteers, SaddoBoxing took the time to sit down and have a one on one conversation with Israel "El Magnifico" Vasquez. More...

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Last week, Saddoboxing.com went along to Shinfields Gym, Somercotes, Derbyshire, to see how Ovill McKenzie is shaping up ahead of his clash with Tony Bellew on the 11th December.

McKenzie will face Bellew for the Commonwealth (British Empire) Light-Heavyweight Title. ‘Bomber’ Bellew of Liverpool is undefeated - boasting a 14 win (9 by KO) record, while Prizefighter ‘Star’ – McKenzie, has an 18 win (7 by KO) 9 losses (1 by KO) record.

Ovill – ‘The Upsetter’ has struggled to get opponents and has not fought since February when he scored a first round TKO over Billy Boyle. More...

© Tom Casino

Healed up and ready to rejoin the elite!

Jeff Lacy (25-3) was once one of boxing's most revered and feared young fighters. After an extensive amateur career of 210 bouts, several national amateur titles and a spot on the 2000 Olympic boxing team, Lacy decided to turn professional in 2001 when he did not medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympic games.

After turning professional on February 2, 2001, at almost the same weight he fought at during the end of his amateur tenure, Lacy became one of the most exciting young Super Middleweights we had seen in years.

His first eight bouts ended in less than a combined 11 rounds. Three bouts later, he earned his first minor title when he defeated Ross Thompson by UD. His next contest was against the much more experienced James Crawford, who had 42 fights on his resume compared to Jeff’s 12.

Crawford was also entering the fight on a four bout win streak. That disparity didn't matter as Jeff ended the affair in less than two rounds, successfully defending his WBC Continental Americas Super Middleweight title won from Thompson and picking up the vacant USBA belt as a bonus for his efforts. More...

Click the above Image for more Photos by Jane Warburton

This afternoon, at The ‘MaMaison’ Hotel in the city of Manchester, England, former undisputed World Heavyweight Champion - Lennox Lewis, took time out of his busy schedule to speak to media about the Heavyweight scene and predominantly the Haye versus Harrison fight tomorrow night.

Having attended the official weigh-in at The Lowry, Salford Quays, earlier today – Lennox said he had noticed how excited the crowd were, chanting for both men (‘You can do it’ from the Harrison supporters and ‘No You Can’t!’ from the Haye fans). It certainly was a lively atmosphere and many boxing fans were also shouting to Lennox in the hope he might wave to them.

Lennox will be ringside for tomorrows’ fight-night, but despite media questioning – he wasn’t going to predict a winner, instead giving credit to both fighters. “Hats off to David Haye for taking the fight, because you should be prepared to fight anyone. To be the best in the world you have to take on anyone”, he said. More...