By Edward Chaykovsky

Middleweight contender Gabriel Rosado believes his showdown with Martin Murray is a make or break fight for both of them. They are set to collide on April 22 at Liverpool's Echo Arena.

Murray, who has been fighting at 168-pounds in his last few fights, has returned to 160. He's been away from the division since suffering an eleventh round stoppage at the hands of Gennady Golovkin in 2015.

Up until last month, Murray had lasted longer in the ring with Golovkin than anyone else. Daniel Jacobs went the full twelve round distance in his mandatory bout with GGG at New York's Madison Square Garden. 

Rosado's back is against the wall in this one. He's coming off twelve round decision loss to Willie Monroe Jr. from last September, and he's gone 2-5 with one no-contest in his last eight fights.

On the other hand, Murray is 2-2 in his last four and at 34-years-old the fight with Rosado is a must-win opportunity.

Murray has failed in four world title attempts, while Rosado is looking to secure his third world title shot. For Rosado, this is his first bout outside of the United States, but the Philadelphia boxer has often been a road warrior who doesn't care where the opportunity takes place.

"It's a big fight. Martin Murray is aiming for one last shot at the title and so am I, so it's a fight where it is all or nothing," Rosado told Sky Sports News HQ.

"I plan on fighting a smart fight but at the end of the day this is entertainment. The fans are paying to be entertained so I want to give them their money's worth and put on a great performance. I want to win big. I think a big win opens up other opportunities possibly to fight again in the UK."

"Mentally I feel good and I'm excited about this opportunity. My job is to do what I need to do to be victorious. I definitely think I'm a quicker fighter and I have more to my arsenal but I just have to prove that on the 22nd and I think I will. I've always wanted to fight in the UK. It's definitely been a goal of mine as a professional fighter so now that it has become a reality I definitely want to seize the moment."