Martin Murray will challenge for his first major title when he meets Tanzania’s Francis Cheka for the vacant Commonwealth middleweight title at Sheffield’s Ponds Forge Arena on Friday 21st May.
The unbeaten St Helens fighter is the latest Hatton Promotions star to get a title chance, but knows it’ll be tough going against Cheka.
The African has won his last five fights and on previous trips to Britain took established stars Matthew Macklin and Paul Smith the distance.
Murray, winner of all 18 professional fights has been driving Hatton Promotions CEO Gareth Williams mad for a title shot since he joined the mushrooming organisation last year.
Williams said: “Martin Murray is an exciting prospect and he has been pushing us to get him a title fight for some time. I have no doubt that he will become our latest champion.”
Murray added: “I am ready to go and anybody who knows me will tell you that I’ll fight any middleweight.”
In the show’s bill topper Ryan Rhodes makes the first defence of his European light-middleweight title against Italy’s former world title challenger Luca Messi.
Former British champions Steve Foster Jnr and Andy Morris are also in action on the talent stacked bill which will be televised live by Sky Sports.
Tickets: £25, £75 and £125 (VIP ringside) 0161 775 7500 or e-mail boxoffice@punch-promotions.com