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British Lightweight Champion John Murray has set himself a timetable that he hopes will see him in contention for a World title by this time next year.
The undefeated Manchester talent makes the second defence of his title against Scott Lawton at the Robin Park Arena in Wigan on Saturday, June 13th.
The fight headlines a Hennessy Sports event which will be live on ITV4 and Murray hopes the fight will take him a step closer to keeping permanent possession of the famous Lonsdale belt and set up a mouth watering showdown with domestic rival Jon Thaxton for later in the year.
“This is a good chance for me to shine and it’s great to be back at the Robin Park Arena again,” said the 24-year-old. “I won the title against Lee Meager there last year and made my first defence there in January against Lee McAllister so I’ll be hoping for a hat trick of wins there against Lawton .
“It’s only down the road for me and I know my routine now going there so it’s been a good venue for me and hopefully it will stay that way.”
While there is talk of a fight with Thaxton and a possible European title tilt before the end of the year Murray insists he’s not looking past Lawton.
“I know Scott well, we sparred together a few years back so I know just how good he is and he’s probably improved since then,” warned Murray.
“He’s a very good fighter and I know it’s a potential banana skin for me so I certainly won’t be taking him lightly and I’m focusing all my attention on him at the moment.”
Murray though doesn’t hide his desire to get in the ring with former European champ Thaxton in what would be a mouth watering domestic showdown. “That’s a fight I’ve wanted for a few years now so hopefully once I take care of Lawton we can finally get that one on. Hopefully the Lawton fight will really sharpen me up for that one because I know if I can get past him then the Thaxton fight will be on the doorstep.”
Murray believes that wins over Lawton and Thaxton would leave him in pole position for a crack at the European title. That belt is currently the property of France ’s Anthony Mezaache courtesy of his points win over Jon Thaxton in February.
“To be honest when Mezzache beat Thaxton I didn’t want to let him out of the country because I’m desperate to have a crack at him,” said Murray . “I’d love a shot at the European title because winning that can open so many doors for you at World level.
“I’d be very confident of beating Mezzache and if I could finish the year as European Champ then I could start looking at a possible World title fight next year. None of that means anything though unless I get past Lawton so this really is a big fight for me next month.”
The undercard at the Robin Park Arena in Wigan on Saturday, June 13th will feature heavyweight sensation Tyson Fury, fresh from his second round destruction of Scott Belshaw at the weekend.
Joining Fury on the undercard will be his cousin Phill Fury (who made a successful pro debut on Saturday night) alongside the return of Light Welterweight contender Nadeem Siddique, hot Featherweight prospect Steve “Super Bad” Barnes and exciting Canadian puncher Andrew Singh Kooner.
Tickets are available from the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 4402 or via www.ticketline.co.uk.
