Murphy Gets Surprise British Title Shot

Just thirteen days ago Ben Murphy successfully defended his Southern Area Lightweight Title, with a magnificent fourth round stoppage of Tony Owen at the Coronet Theatre in Southwark, London.

This coming Saturday the tough, pit bull like, thirty one year old from Hove will move up a weight division to challenge Ashley Theophane for his British Light Welterweight title at the Frank Maloney Promotions event at the Peterlee Leisure Centre.

Murphy got what he describes as a ‘Golden Opportunity’ following the proposed opponent, Nigel Wright, being forced to step aside on medical grounds.

Following a training session, under the watchful eyes of his coach Johnny Eames at the Trad TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, an elated Murphy spoke briefly on his unexpected shot at the British title, “I keep pinching myself and asking myself is it real, you know.

Yeah I know it’s not even two weeks ago I fought Tony Owen, so this may seem too soon to some, but it didn’t go the distance, it was a fourth round stoppage.

Tony’s pretty decent, a good boxer, but I bullied him really, I bullied my way in and stretched him.

I knew that was going to happen. I may have been able to out box him as well, but I just knew I was going to take him out and finish the job. I just didn’t want to wait around, so got it done quick and kept my Southern Area title.

It’s good I done the job so quickly because now I’ve got a shot at a British title against Ashley (Theophane) on Saturday. I still can’t believe it’s happening. Johnny (Eames) called me up on Tuesday and said do you want to take the fight.

Yeah, I jumped at the chance, it’s a golden opportunity for me to come out and prove to people what I can do. I don’t know Ashley personally, I know he used to train here at the TKO, I’ve seen him fight and seen him spar so I’ve seen a little of him.

He’s a decent fighter, you can’t take that away from him, that’s why I’m so excited for this opportunity.

If I go in there and do this job – I’m so positive, I can see visions of me winning this fight you know. There’s no negatives in my mind about this fight, it’s all positive visions coming to me – I see the British title coming back with me.

When I do that I’m rolling from there and I’m looking forward to it.”

Ashley Theophane versus Ben Murphy, for the British Light Welterweight title, headlines the Frank Maloney Promotions event at Peterlee Leisure Centre, Peterlee, Tyne and Wear on Saturday 10th December 2011, and broadcast live and exclusive on Sky Sports HD1.