Exclusive Boxing Interview: John Murray

Twenty-one year old John Murray is one of Britain’s top up and coming fighters, carving out an unbeaten record in eighteen starts, finishing half of those opponents early. The tall Manchester based lightweight has impressed audiences in both America and Canada and has already won the WBC Youth Lightweight Champion. Promoted by Hennessy Sports, the red hot prospect is on the verge of contending for bigger and better things.

SaddoBoxing: First of all John, congratulations on winning the Boxing Writers Club “Young Boxer of the Year” award; you must be pretty pleased?

John Murray: “Yeah I am mate, I went down there and I’m just over the moon to have won it, it was a really good event too, there was some great guys there.”

SB: With winning that award, you follow in the footsteps of some great boxers such as Barry McGuigan, Nigel Benn, Joe Calzaghe, Naseem Hamed and Ricky Hatton among others. They all went on to become world champions, do you hope to follow them further and become world champion yourself?

JM: “Yeah, we’re looking towards moving in that sort of direction. I’m the WBC Youth Champion now, were looking at defending this youth belt a few times and work up the light-weight ratings and hopefully securing a world title shot in the next few years.”

SB: You have won all 18 of your pro fights, with nine inside the distance, since making your debut three years ago, and you became the first British boxer to win the WBC youth title; do you see yourself going on an even longer unbeaten run, the same as many world champions out there seem to be doing?

JM: “Yeah of course I do, I’m one of them fighters that, at this moment, I feel like I can take on anyone and I’ll beat anyone, that’s the mentality I’ve got. But at the same time, there’s no harm in a young fighter losing, being young you can always come back. You know, I’m willing to take on them fights and if I do lose, I’m sure I’ll learn from them and come back even better. I was talking to Jamie Moore a while back and he said the best thing that ever happened to him was getting beat by Scott Dixon.”

SB: You were gearing up for the next big step on the road to a major prize by going up against Ricky Burns back in October; can you tell us what happened there?

JM: “Yeah, the fight before that one [vs. Moebi Sarouna] was at lightweight, defending the youth title but we actually made the super feather weight limit to see how we performed at it, we made the super feather the day before, then we fought the next day. I just didn’t feel that it was the same good performance as what I’ve had at lightweight, such as my American performances at lightweight, winning the titles at lightweight, and some of my best performances have been at lightweight.

“Where as when I’ve been down to super feather i.e. the Guebbas fight and the African last time out, I haven’t really performed as well as I can, so we just made the choice between us, as a team that we were going to move up to lightweight and see how it goes.”

SB: So you’re staying at lightweight from now on?

JM: “Yeah, I was big at that weight anyway, I’m still a big lightweight. All my best performances have been at lightweight, I’m comfortable there, and I make the weight easier enough, so yeah, that’s were I’m staying.”

SB: There was going to be some quite exciting fights out there for you at super feather, against the likes of Carl Johansson and Kevin Mitchell; are they totally out the window now?

JM: “Well, Kevin Mitchell is still only a young lad, I can see him moving up to lightweight myself and Carl Johansson, there’s always a chance that he might come up for a big fight. There’s not much difference between the two weights, I’m sure some of the lads that are at that weight would relish the chance to move up and fight me down the line, definitely.”

SB: It would definitely be good to see you in against Kevin Mitchell, in my own opinion, I think you may be able to beat him with the clash of your two styles?

JM: “Well, that’s the fight that we’ve been looking for. I think he’s fighting at super feather and he’s secured a few titles, but as far as I can see he doesn’t really seem to be fighting anyone with any real credit. He seems to be fighting blown up featherweights.”

SB: He seems to be easy to catch too?

JM: “I’m surprised he’s done as well as he as, because he has got a terrible defence. His hands are low and he takes punches, but he’s in there at the minute with none punchers. Once he gets in there with someone who can really pack a punch, he’s going to be in trouble.”

SB: We haven’t really seen his chin tested yet have we?

JM: “No, that’s right, he’s in there with pea shooters. He’s got a cannon against people with pea shooters, its not really a fair fight.”

SB: So what is around the corner for John Murray?

JM: “Well, like I say, I’ve got the WBC youth title and we’re looking at making a few defences of that. Lee Meager is the British Champion, we’re in the same stable, and he is apparently moving on to bigger and better things i.e. the European title, and the British title will be there vacant so I’m sure that hopefully I’ll be able to move straight in for it.”

SB: Looking at your career, you have only had three fights in Manchester; with you being a Manchester lad, are you hoping that you may now get some more home fights?

JM: “Yeah, we’re hoping now to build up the fan base in Manchester, I have loads of fans from Manchester who like to watch me but every time I fight, it’s like Nottingham or London and it’s a long way for them to travel. So hopefully, it wont be too long before Mick [Hennessy] can secure a date in Manchester or close to Manchester, where it’s not too much hassle for the fans.”

SB: The word buzzing around Manchester is that it’s likely you could be the natural successor to Ricky Hatton’s supporters when he finishes his career, even down to being a City fan. What are your thoughts on that?

JM: “Ricky’s a great fighter and he’s a nice lad as well, he’s very similar to myself in the fact that he’s a nice lad, he’s a City fan and all that, and he’s a great fighter. I think that once the Manchester crowd get behind me and they see what an exciting style I’ve got, they can only warm to me, so who knows, I’m not saying I’m going to start packing out the MEN Arena, but if I get only 10% of Ricky’s fans to start saying this John Murray kid is not too bad, then I wouldn’t be doing too bad.”

SB: With respect, your trainer Joe Gallagher doesn’t immediately spring to mind when you think of Manchester’s hotbed of trainers such as Billy Graham, Oliver Harrison…etc, but he has had a lot of amateur success for sure hasn’t he?

JM: “He’s not been training pro boxers for too long, he actually turned pro with young Stevie Foster Jr. Foster was an amateur with him and that’s who he turned pro with, but after a couple of fights, Steve Foster moved on, and then Joe just had a couple of domestic fighters like Southern Area type fighters who he done well with, then obviously I turned pro and he’s guided me through 18 fights undefeated. He helps train my brother as an amateur, Joseph Murray, he’s the British number one at bantam. He’s doing well, so hopefully a few years down the line, Joe will emerge as one of the best Manchester trainers.”

SB: You just mentioned your brother, Joseph; I have heard that he’s quite a talent too, will it be long before we start hearing of Joe Murray on the circuit?

JM: “He is gearing up towards the 2008 Olympics, the England team have got him on funding now so hopefully fingers crossed, he’ll make it over there.”

SB: Do you have any big interests outside of boxing?

JM: “Not really, to be honest I just like chillin’ out, seeing friends and family, and just relaxing. I go to cinemas and stuff with my girlfriend and chill out. I love food, I love food, food is my biggest love, ha, ha.”

SB: Thanks very much for taking the time out for us John, we wish you and your brother the best for what you do, and hopefully we’ll speak to you as a world champion soon.

JM: “Thanks pal, take care.”