By Lee Collier

Martin Murray, 19-0 (7 KOs), looks set to finally get his first title shot when he faces tough Australian Peter Mitrevski Jr, 23-6-1 (11 KO’s) for the vacant Commonwealth middleweight title on the undercard to the Matthew Hatton-Yuriy Nuzhnenko European title header on July 16th.

The unbeaten St Helens fighter suffered disappointment only two months ago when his proposed fight with Francis Cheka for the same title fell through only two days before the contest due to Cheka struggling to gain a Visa.  A disappointed Murray then faced Lee Noble over six rounds becoming only the second man to stop the durable Yorkshireman in 27 fights.

“I got a text on the Wednesday before the fight saying that Cheka couldn’t get in the country and I was gutted,” reflected Murray.  “I was then told I was going to fight Marcus Schultz of Germany.  I looked at his record and he seemed a tougher opponent than Cheka so I knew I still had a job on my hands.  I then got told the day of the fight that I couldn’t have the German and I was fighting Lee Noble and I was wounded.”

Murray continued, “It’s no disrespect to Lee Noble but I’d trained hard for a title fight and then I’m fighting a good journeyman, the type of fighter I boxed early in my career.  I was absolutely devastated but I had to just get on with it and got a good victory and have now got the title fight I deserve.”

Murray first came to the public’s eye back in November 2008 when he beat Joe Rea, Danny Butler and Cello Renda en route to winning the Prizefighter trophy in the middleweight version of the competition.  Since then the talented boxer has been hankering for a title shot but realises that the 18 months since Prizefighter have seen him develop into a fighter capable of winning title fights.

“I think I have improved a hell of lot since Prizefighter, me and [trainer] Oliver [Harrison] are always working on a lot of new technique’s and moves to turn me into a better fighter and I think it has worked,” explained Murray.

“When I went into the Prizefighter I wasn’t ready for the 12 round title fights, it was used to get me some exposure and to get my name out their but now I feel I am more than ready for the full distance title fights.”

Murray faces a tough Australian in Mitrevski Jr who will be competing in his ninth title fight having also faced world champion Sebastian Sylvester, who is the only man to stop Mitrevski.  Murray knows he will have to work hard for his first belt but is confident of overcoming a fighter who has sparred with Anthony Mundine.

“I have not seen anything of Mitrevski so I can’t say what his strong points or bad points are,” revealed Murray.  “I know he will want to win the belt and Aussie’s are generally tough fighters so I am expecting a tough fight.  But if I want to fulfil my aspirations these are the kind of opponents I should be dealing with comfortably. 

“He took Sylvester eight rounds so it shows he is durable and he has had eight title fights so I’ll give him the respect he deserves but at the same time I’ll make him realise he is in the ring with champion when he fights me.”

Murray is looking to use the Commonwealth belt as a springboard to win the coveted Lonsdale belt he desires which is currently held by Darren Barker. 

“I am not overlooking Mitrevski but I am going to win and then I am targeting the British title.  I don’t know what is happening with the Macklin-Barker fight and the British title but I would love to fight Darren Barker for that British belt.”

Tickets are available from 0161 775 7500 or http://www.ticketline.co.uk/tickets/13246636/a-night-of-championship-box.  Prices are £30, £50, £75 Ringside and £95 VIP Ringside.