Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor
WBN Editor
Middleweight eyeing top opponents
Former world title challenger Martin Murray is growing
frustrated in his attempt to lure some of the top domestic middleweights into a
high-profile bout and could turn to Billy Joe Saunders for a British title
defence.
The 29 year-old, who pushed WBA champion Felix Sturm to a
draw in December 2011, has constantly been linked to fights with Matthew
Macklin and Darren Barker, although the two former European champions have spurned
his advances.
“We have tried a few times to get Macklin and Barker to accept
a fight and is hasn’t come off,” Murray told World Boxing News.
“With both fighters having fights lined up in September,
Billy Joe Saunders may get his wish.
“I think he should really be concentrating on the likes of
Nick Blackwell for the next eighteen months as I haven’t got much to gain from
fighting him.
“If I beat him early then I do what I am expected to do and
if it goes twelve rounds, people will say that I should have stopped him
earlier.
“Saunders is where I was say eighteen months ago when I was
chasing Macklin and Barker and getting nowhere.
“Ideally, it’s not the fight I am looking for as it is a
backward step, but it’s one I may have to take.”
Murray was then asked whether he would consider Irishman Andy
Lee, who lost to WBC champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in his first world title
challenge in June and is rumoured to be on the lookout for a fight on UK or
Irish soil.
“Andy Lee is a world class fighter,” stated Murray. “I think
it would be a great fight and one that would be entertaining for the fans.”