Martin Murray Targets Newly Minted Middleweight Champ Geale

Martin Murray believes another world title crack is overdue and he’s setting his sights on unified WBA and IBF champion Daniel Geale.

The unbeaten St Helens middleweight held Felix Sturm to a draw in Germany last December and has been playing a waiting game ever since.

Clashes with WBC champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr and WBO titlist Dmitry Pirog have both fallen through, but Murray is confident that his luck may change now that Geale has dethroned Sturm.

In fact, Murray was ringside to watch their fight in Oberhausen and made his case to Geale personally afterwards.

“I spoke to Daniel Geale at the post-fight press conference and told him that I’m available to fight him either in England or in Australia,” the 29-year-old explained.

“He said we’ll definitely be able to sit down and talk.

“To be honest, his team seemed more keen for him to come over here because I don’t think he gets the recognition he deserves in Australia and he’s proven that he travels well.”

If a shot at Geale can materialise, it will end months of frustration for Murray.

Visa issues put paid to his world title hopes against Chavez Jr, while boxers closer to home have been unwilling to step up to the plate.

“I proved against Sturm I belong at world level, but getting a draw was one of the worst things to happen to me,” Murray said.

“If I’d have won everyone would have wanted to fight me because I’d be a world champion and if I’d have got smashed they’d have wanted to fight because they’d think I’d be an easy night’s work.

“Proving myself has left me in no man’s land so I think a world title is well overdue now.”

Promoter Ricky Hatton added: “We’re having to look at big fights with overseas names for Martin because he’s a feared man in Britain.

“We’ve beaten all offers for a fight with Darren Barker but had no joy and we met all Matthew Macklin’s demands only for him to go elsewhere.”