Murray to Make Debut under Gary Shaw Banner in Cabazon

CABAZON, CALIFORNIA – Featherweight prospect Derrick Murray returns to the ring for the first time in nearly a year with a new promotional and managerial team behind him tonight at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon. The recent Gary Shaw Productions signee takes on Cesar Valenzuela in a four-round bout on the undercard of ESPN2 Friday Night Fights.

With the business of boxing having stalled the longtime amateur star’s professional career, Murray is excited to get rolling again with the help of his new supporting cast. “I’ve got a new team,” says Murray excitedly. “I’ve got Repo Ric, and he’s teaming up with Jason Schlessinger and they are treating me good. We are signing with Gary Shaw Productions, and they’ve got a hell of a fighter, just as I have a hell of a team behind me.”

Murray (1-0, 1 KO) seems to have found a kindred spirit in his new co-manager Repo Ric. “We are from the same part of town, Saint Louis, Missouri,” explains Murray. “He’s got a pretty hype personality and me as well, I have a pretty hype personality. Once you get to know me, I am very funny in a professional way. And I like attention. I like to get the crowd pumped and I like to make sure they are enjoying themselves. So we kind of have the same personality.”

Repo Ric had been working hard to sign up Murray, a fighter whose talents he has long heralded, for some time. Now that they are working together, Repo cannot contain his excitement. “He’s an Andre Ward and Oscar De La Hoya,” says Repo. “The reason why is all three of them were born left handed and all three of them fight right handed. Andre Ward is left handed, which is why his jab is so devastating that you get frustrated. And once you get frustrated you are done. You are just in there to survive. This kid is the same way. That jab is going to be doubling and tripling and keep coming. Once the referee sees that jab, it’s on. It’s on!”

Just as Repo Ric has become known for his colorful character leading up to, in between and during fights, Murray plans on keeping the crowds captivated at all times. “Even before I get into the ring, they are going to be entertained by my walk-in,” says Murray. “I am going to go in there with quick hands, fast head movement and I am going to give them a show to watch. It is not going to be a boring show, I know that much.”

When deciding on a promoter, Schlessinger and Repo Ric decided to go with Gary Shaw, the same promoter that has helped Repo move 122-pound prospect Roman Morales to 9-0 in just over a year. “I got him with Gary Shaw because Gary Shaw knows how to move a fighter and Gary Shaw kind of lets me do what I want to do,” explains Repo. “It’s like ‘Gary Shaw, we on the next show?’ ‘Yes.’”

With all the changes, one could expect there to be a little added pressure on the shoulders of the 23-year-old going into tonight’s fight. However, Murray’s co-manager feels his charge will be able to put that aside on put on a stirring performance. “He’s going to be a little excited. He came from the gutter and now he’s out here in California with Gary Shaw,” explains Repo. “He’s got four people driving from St. Louis to come see him fight, with his two-year-old son in the car. So there’s butterflies, but he’s going to whoop that ass, which is why I named him Derrick “Whoop That Ass” Murray.”

Speaking of the fight, Murray has done his homework on his opponent and offers a prediction. “I kind of looked Valenzuela up,” explains Murray of his 2-0 adversary. “He’s a little taller, he’s got a lot of reach. No power, no speed, no defense. I plan on knocking him out in the second round.”