Perhaps the sport’s most feared fighter, middleweight titleholder Gennady Golovkin has built a powerhouse reputation by demonstrating a willingness to take on any challenge and displaying an intriguing array of skills, highlighted by stunning knockout power.

Now, the Kazakhstan native makes his highly anticipated 2015 debut when WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING: GENNADY GOLOVKIN VS. MARTIN MURRAY is seen SATURDAY, FEB. 21 at 5:45 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT) from the Salle des Etoiles in glittering Monte Carlo, exclusively on HBO, with a replay later that night on HBO at 10:15 p.m. (ET/PT). The HBO Sports team will call all the action, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.

In the 13th defense of his middleweight crown, 32-year-old Gennady Golovkin (31-0, 28 KOs), originally from Karaganda, Kazakhstan, and now training at Big Bear, Cal., meets the formidable Martin Murray (29-1-1, 12 KOs) from St Helens, Merseyside, United Kingdom in a scheduled 12-round contest. Currently boasting a knockout victory streak of 18, Golovkin has taken the boxing world by storm with an extraordinary knockout-to-win ratio of better than 90%. No opponent has gone the distance with him since Nov. 2008, and the average length of his pro bouts is 4.6 rounds; his three 2014 fights ended in the seventh, third and second rounds. Trained by the highly regarded Abel Sanchez, Golovkin will be making his seventh appearance on HBO since his auspicious debut in Sept. 2012.

Murray, 32, is a seasoned pro willing to accept any challenge, at any location. He battled titleholder Felix Sturm to a hard-fought draw in Mannheim, Germany, and fought Sergio Martinez before a raucous partisan crowd in Argentina, resulting in what some saw as a questionable loss. In October, Murray won in impressive fashion against Domenico Spada in Monte Carlo.

The telecast from Monte Carlo continues HBO’s initiative of presenting high-caliber fights from Europe in the late-Saturday afternoon time slot. In the past two years, HBO Boxing visited London, Moscow and Hamburg for world-class title action.

Follow HBO boxing news at hbo.com/boxing, on Facebook at facebook.com/hboboxing and on Twitter at twitter.com/hboboxing.

All HBO boxing events are presented in HDTV. HBO viewers must have access to the HBO HDTV channel to watch HBO programming in high definition.

The executive producer of WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is Rick Bernstein; producer, Jon Crystal; director, Johnathan Evans.

® WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is a registered service mark of Home Box Office, Inc.

Monte-Carlo (February 18, 2015) — The principality of Monte-Carlo will be showcased to the world on Saturday with the broadcast of “Thunderbolt”, the tournament headlined by Gennady Golovkin’s world middleweight championship bout against Martin Murray.

Multiple nternational broadcasters from around the globe have purchased the rights, ensuring maximum exposure for what is anticipated to be Golovkin’s toughest challenge to date.
The unbeaten Kazakh (31-0, 28 KOs), the WBA Super World middleweight, interim WBC World middleweight and IBO middleweight champion, is on an unbeaten 18-bout KO streak and will be looking to extend that against the UK’s Murray (29-1-1, 12 KOs), who refuses to simply be an “opponent”.
The fight will be broadcast on HBO in the US and on Channel Five, the terrestrial TV service in the UK.
Deals have also been concluded in a number of other major countries and regions, including Africa (SuperSport), Australia (Main Event PPV), Brazil (Esporte Interativo), China (CCTV), France (L’Equipe), Germany (Sat.1), Israel (Sport 5), Japan (WOWOW), Mexico (Azteca), Nicaragua (Canal 4), Panama , Pan-South America (Space), Poland (NC+), Russia (Russia 2), Scandinavia (Viasat), Slovenia, Thailand (Channel 7), Turkey (Kanal D) and Uruguay (VTV).
Negotiations are continuing with an additional number of broadcasters.
“This is very gratifying,” said promoter Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves. “This fight has captured the imagination, as has the undercard. I’m delighted that so many people will have the chance to watch such a major event.”
The undercard includes South African Hekkie Budler (27-1, 9 KOs) in defence of his WBA and IBO minimumweight titles against Jesus Silvestre (30-5, 22 KOs) of Mexico, plus the UK’s Lee Haskins (30-3, 13 KOs) contesting the vacant EBU bantamweight title against Omar Lamiri (13-1, 5 KOs) of France and a heavyweight bout between contenders Hughie Fury (14-0, 8 KOs) and Andriy Rudenko (24-1, 16 KOs) of Ukraine.

GOLOVKIN vs MURRAY is presented by Golden Gloves of South Africa, K2 Promotions, GGG Promotions, Expo 2017 and Tsesnabank, Casino de Monte-Carlo along with Monte-Carlo SBM.

The fight will be broadcast internationally from the beautiful Salle des Etoiles venue in Monte-Carlo.

The international broadcast and transmission rights to this world class event are being exclusively distributed by leading boxing rights distributor and sports marketing firm Protocol Sports Marketing Ltd., an Octapixx company.

LONDON (18 FEB) Two-time world title challenger Martin Murray has been away from his family for the last five weeks in the hope that such sacrifices will help land him the WBA Super world middleweight title on Saturday night (February 21) in Monte Carlo, LIVE on Channel 5.

The proud St. Helens warrior faces fearsome champion Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin in a matter of days and knows he’s left no stone unturned in training camp.

“Being away from my family has absolutely killed me,” said Murray, father to Archie, Amelia and Aisla. “I’ve been away from them now for over five weeks and it’s been really hard.

“I can look back now and think, well, at least it’s nearly done, but, at the time, it was hell. I was lonely, I was down. But it needed to be done. I’ve got no regrets whatsoever. If I had to go back and do it all again, I would. It’s been tough but worthwhile.

“I’m heavily involved in my kids’ lives and I know I’ve been missing a lot of things. I’m a very hands-on dad, so every day I spend away from them eats me up inside. But I can make up for it on Monday when I see them and bring home the world title.”

Though days from fight night, Murray, 29-1-1 (12 KOs), feels no ill will towards Golovkin, nor does he expect to experience any animosity at today’s fight week press conference. But that doesn’t meant he won’t be doing everything in his power to dethrone the champion on Saturday.

“When we have our press conference, I’ll be professional and courteous,” he said. “But, come fight night, that’s not going to stop me wanting to rip his head off. He’ll be the same way. We’ll shake hands and be perfectly nice to each other, but that goes out of the window on Saturday. He wants to take something from me and I want to hurt him.

“Some of Golovkin’s opponents might give him too much respect, and they might be all smiles and handshakes at the press conference, but that’s just stupid. They obviously didn’t grow up where I grew up. I respect his ability as a fighter, and I’m sure he’s a nice guy, but this is a fight and I can be just as nasty as anybody when I have to be.”

Murray has done the bulk of his training in South Africa, running at altitude and pushing his body to its limit, and the experience, he believes, has sufficiently prepared his mind for the sternest test of his seven-year professional career.

“I went over with a great bunch of lads and that made it easier for me,” he said. “I spent quite a lot of time in my room on my own, though. I wouldn’t say I was moody or horrible to be around, but I was focused and serious a lot of the time.

“Being away just made me focus that bit more and gave me more of a drive. I was away from home, away from my family and it was all for the right reasons.”

Such was the level of Murray’s focus, he even attached a picture of Golovkin, Saturday’s opponent, to a heavy bag in his gymnasium. It acted as a daily reminder.

“That picture was put on the heavy bag on day one and it was still there when I left on Friday,” said the 32-year-old. “It wasn’t done for publicity. It’s something we’ve always done. No matter who I’ve fought, there has always been a picture of them on a bag or on the wall. It’s just good to have their face in the gym. It makes you constantly aware of what is to come. To be honest, I’m sick of the sight of Golovkin now. I’ve seen him every single day.

“Saying that, though, it’s been extremely easy to switch off when I’ve needed to. In fact, I’ve never slept better during a training camp. I don’t know whether that’s because I’ve trained harder than ever or what, but sleep has been really easy this camp.

“I’ve thought about Golovkin, but only when I’ve needed to think about him. For example, I’d think about him on my way to training and while in the gym. Aside from that, though, I’ve put him to the back of my mind. I pick and choose when I need to focus on him.

“On Saturday night he’ll be the only thing on my mind.”

*** Boxing superstar Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin defends his WBA Super world middleweight title against Britain’s Martin Murray on Saturday, February 21 in Monte Carlo, LIVE on Channel 5 (10pm) ***

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LONDON (17 FEB) World super-middleweight contender ‘Saint’ George Groves has experienced firsthand the quality of reigning WBA Super world middleweight champion Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin, but insists Martin Murray is the man to test the Kazakh destroyer when they meet on Saturday (February 21) in Monte Carlo.

Groves, a two-time world title challenger, spent a week in training camp with Golovkin last summer and the pair sparred a number of rounds together. It offered the Londoner the chance to see exactly why Golovkin, 31-0 (28 KOs), is the most feared fighter on the planet right now.

“Sometimes you get a quick puncher who hits hard, like Mike Tyson, but you assume they’re not going to last that long,” said Groves. “After three or four rounds, it’s likely they’ll tire. But Golovkin has a style that allows him to set his own rhythm and get into his own groove and it’s hard to knock him out of it.

“To beat him, you can’t only be good at one thing. If you’re just fast, you won’t beat him. If you just have power, you won’t beat him. He has so much time in the pocket to work you out. He’ll find the openings.

“The most impressive thing I discovered was that he’s exceptional at setting traps. He’ll have guys thinking they’ll avoid his punch power and move around the ring, yet he cuts the ring off, feints, sets traps and quickly gets them to fight his fight.

“It doesn’t take him long. Once the ring closes on them, he goes to work and he has a great variety of shots, he works the body well, and, when he sees an opening, he has so much time. He’s a wily old cat who can really bite.

“Ultimately, you’re always on a knife edge with someone like Golovkin. You’ve got to be prepared to punch with him. You’ve got to be prepared to take a shot to land a shot at times. If you’re too concerned about getting hit, you’ll panic, make a mistake and end up getting hit and hurt. You have to try and land some shots of your own and command his respect. If he’s got nothing to worry about, he’ll be in that groove and rhythm of his all day.

“And you’re not dealing with a technically poor fighter who has incredible punch power. He has incredible punch power and elite-level technical ability. This means he’s always in the right place at the right time, with perfect balance, to land some of the most hurtful shots in boxing. That’s a scary thing for most opponents.”

Groves concedes that Murray, 29-1-1 (12 KOs), isn’t the type to get scared or overawed when placed in a daunting situation. In fact, he’s shown in previous world title tilts, against Felix Sturm and Sergio Martinez, that he’s the sort of fighter who rises to the occasion.

“I think Martin Murray is certainly a world-class operator and he has looked exceptional at times, usually when asked to step up,” said Groves. “He’s proven himself to be one of the best in the division.

“Golovkin has gone through every one of his opponents like a hot knife through butter, so you wouldn’t back against him or begrudge him being the favourite, but I get the impression Murray is a very tough man to beat. He’s strong, he has a good boxing brain, he has a good variety of punches and he’s very experienced.

“I also like the fact Murray has a bit of a maverick approach to boxing. He isn’t signed to a standard UK promoter, he’s got his own ideas and I understand and appreciate that. He’s his own man. In these circumstances, that’s the best way to be. And, with the hype around Golovkin, ignorance and single-mindedness could be a real blessing.

“Also, Golovkin is so busy and has been boxing so well, it could be very easy for him to take his eye off the ball or go a little easy in training because he knows he’s scheduled for another three or four fights this year.

“Murray is not the sort of opponent you can take lightly. He can change and adapt to a certain degree; we’ve seen him fight up close with a tight guard and not give much away, and we’ve seen him box at mid-range and long-range behind a good jab and straight punches. He also looks like he’s got good physical strength, so he’ll be able to stand toe-to-toe when he needs to.

“All in all, I think it will definitely be one of Golovkin’s hardest fights. I don’t think Murray will crumble or get taken out early. We’ve seen good, durable fighters like Matthew Macklin and Daniel Geale crumble early against him, but I don’t see Murray going that way.”

*** Boxing superstar Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin defends his WBA Super world middleweight title against Britain’s Martin Murray on Saturday, February 21 in Monte Carlo, LIVE on Channel 5 ***

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www.channel5.com
www.maxinutrition.com
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www.goldengloves.co.za
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Monte-Carlo (February 16, 2015) WBA/IBO and WBC “Interim” Middleweight World Champion GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN arrived in Monte-Carlo today for his showdown with top rated challenger MARTIN MURRAY set for this Saturday night, February 21 at the Salle des Etoiles in Monte-Carlo and telecast worldwide including Live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 5:45 p.m. ET/PT in the United States.

Golovkin was accompanied by TOM LOEFFLER of K2 Promotions and renowned longtime trainer ABEL SANCHEZ.

GOLOVKIN vs. MURRAY is presented by Golden Gloves of South Africa, K2 Promotions, GGG Promotions, Expo 2017 and Tsesnabank, Casino de Monte Carlo along with Monte Carlo SBM.

Boxing’s Fastest Rising Superstar, Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, 31-0-0 with 28 KO’s, scored his 18th straight stoppage and 12th defense of his WBA/IBO titles on Saturday, October 18th with a devastating second round knockout of WBC “Interim” Middleweight Champion, Marco Antonio Rubio in front of a standing room only crowd of 9,323 at the StubHub! Center in Carson, California, USA. The attendance was record setting, far surpassing any other previous boxing events held at the acclaimed West Coast venue including those featuring Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Andre Ward.

A native of Karaganda, Kazakhstan, now residing in Los Angeles, California, Golovkin has fought twice previously in Monte-Carlo. In March 2012, Golovkin knocked out former world champion Nobuhiro Ishida in the third stanza, which earned him numerous “Knockout of the Year” awards from the international boxing media and scored a sixth round stoppage of former world title challenger Osumanu Adama in February 2013, also taking place at the Salle des Etoiles.

On October 25, Martin Murray stopped Dominic Spada in the fifth round also at the Salle des Etoiles in Monte-Carlo. Golovkin was ringside for the Murray/Spada bout and came away impressed by his performance. With the victory, Murray of Merseyside, United Kingdom improved his record to 29-1-1 (13KO’s).

In April 2012, Murray traveled to Buenos Aries, Argentina and battled hometown world champion Sergio Martinez. Despite dropping Martinez in the eighth round, he lost a controversial decision in a bout many in the media and ringside observers believe he was victorious in.

Three fights earlier, Murray headed to Mannheim, Germany in December 2011 to challenge also hometown champion Felix Sturm. Outlanding Sturm throughout the fight with blistering power punches, most ringside observers and media members also thought he won this fight despite settling for a highly controversial split decision draw.

Monte-Carlo, New York, Johannesburg (February 16, 2015) — Any doubts about Martin Murray’s mental state ahead of this weekend’s middleweight championship fight against Gennady Golovkin, boxing’s biggest puncher, can be laid to rest.

“This is going to be a war and I’m willing to do anything it takes,” the WBC number one contender has told promoter Rodney Berman.
The pair square off for Golovkin’s WBA Super World middleweight, interim WBC World middleweight and IBO middleweight titles at the Salle des Étoiles concert hall in Monte-Carlo on Saturday.
Berman is one of a number of boxing figureheads who believe that, like with Mike Tyson before, Golovkin’s opponents are out-psyched by his reputation long before they start trading punches. With 18 consecutive knockouts to his name, Golovkin is statistically the biggest puncher among boxing’s world champions.
“After I carry you on my shoulders, will you come visit me in hospital with my broken back?” Berman asked Murray.
The South African promoter says Murray has exhibited none of the anxiety so many of Golovkin’s other challengers have.
Murray’s response was straight out of Merseyside: “Might even be in the bed at the side of you because this is going to be a war and I’m willing to do anything it takes to become world champion.”
Berman, meanwhile, is attempting to push Friday’s weigh-in out to midday to accommodate the Murray “Barmy Army”. Murray’s family is also on a flight that is due to arrive in France around 11am and have chartered helicopters from Nice to Monaco to get to the weigh-in venue as fast as possible.
Golovkin’s camp has kindly agreed to the extension, although the Casino de Monte-Carlo, venue of the weigh-in, needs to be cleared out by 2pm, which requires a tight turnaround.
“It’s a good problem to have,” said Berman, who arrived in Monte-Carlo on Monday morning. “There’s already a great sense of excitement five days out. The boxers and their camps are streaming in, as is the press corps and boxing officials. We’re in for a massive weekend.”

GOLOVKIN vs MURRAY is presented by Golden Gloves of South Africa, K2 Promotions, GGG Promotions, Expo 2017 and Tsesnabank, Casino de Monte-Carlo along with Monte-Carlo SBM.

The fight will be broadcast internationally from the beautiful Salle des Etoiles venue in Monte-Carlo.

The international broadcast and transmission rights to this world class event are being exclusively distributed by leading boxing rights distributor and sports marketing firm Protocol Sports Marketing Ltd., an Octapixx company.

Media Contacts
Bernie Bahrmasel, K2 Promotions, BernieBahrmasel@yahoo.com, + 773 592-2986
Clinton van der Berg, Golden Gloves of South Africa, Clinton.vanderBerg@SuperSport.com, + 27 83 297 4677
Eric Bessone, Monte Carlo SBM, E.Bessone@sbm.mc
Kevin Flaherty, HBO, Kevin.Flaherty@hbo.com, + 212 512-5052

LONDON (16 FEB) Newly-crowned WBO world middleweight champion Andy Lee will be in Monte Carlo on February 21 to oversee the WBA Super world middleweight title fight between Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin and Martin Murray and is keen to face the winner at some point in the next twelve months.

Ireland’s Lee picked up his world championship with a stunning sixth-round knockout of Matt Korobov in December, but knows a future title unification fight could finally crown a true number one at 160lbs.

“Golovkin and Murray are nice guys and good fighters, and I hope to fight both of them some day,” he said. “I’ll be ringside in Monte Carlo watching as both a fan and a fighter. It’s a genuinely interesting fight – one I’d be interested in even if I wasn’t at their weight – and it also carries relevance to me and my career.

“I’ll be looking to see certain things in both fighters. I’ve seen Golovkin fight at least once before in the flesh, but I’ve never seen Murray fight in the flesh. It will be nice to see them up close and get a sense of what they’re like around a big fight.

“I think about a unification fight all the time. And, even though I’m now a world champion, Golovkin is still The Man in the division. He is rightly considered the number one middleweight in the world.

“Maybe this time next year we’ll be fighting for all the marbles. Though I’m sure Martin Murray will have something to say about that.”

A fan of both, Lee expects Golovkin to retain his title but is quick to shoot down any idea that Murray might be out of his depth on February 21.

“I think Murray is the best opponent Golovkin has faced,” said the southpaw. “I’d probably say Daniel Geale was the best up to this point, but Murray is a bit better than him. He’s more solid, stronger and he’s a big middleweight.

“Saying that, though, I don’t know if Martin will be able to do as much with Golovkin as even guys like (Gabriel) Rosado and (Curtis) Stevens did. From what we’ve seen of his past fights, Martin tends to be in front of you, he stands square and you don’t have to go looking for him. That might suit Golovkin.

“Stevens nullified him a bit because he took a negative approach and moved around the ring with a high guard for a few rounds. He didn’t really try to engage. He just picked his spots when he could.

“I could see Murray doing that for the first half of the fight and then hoping to come on strong at the end. Then he can use his bigger size and his strength. I think that would be Martin’s best approach; don’t try to win the first few rounds, just get through them without taking much punishment and land when you can. He just has to hope to find cracks in the second half of the fight.

“Remember, Murray has experience at this level. He’s gone twelve rounds with both (Sergio) Martinez and (Felix) Sturm. He’s definitely world-class. He also has belief. I don’t think he will be in awe of Golovkin. He won’t think he’s going to lose. Most people who face Golovkin are beaten before they’ve even stepped in the ring with him.”

Before turning pro in 2006, Lee boxed Golovkin as an amateur at the 2003 World Championships. He lost a decision and Golovkin went on to win the entire tournament. Suffice to say, Lee knew the steely-eyed Kazakh was special even back then.

“His footwork, feints and ability to cut off the ring are second to none,” he said. “He always has his opponent on edge. You’re in a constant state of panic, thinking he’s going to attack you at any moment, but he’s totally relaxed. It’s no big deal to him. He puts pressure on you with his feet all the time. And it’s mental pressure. Then, when you step to him, he’ll take a quick step away. He’s always on his toes, ready to fire.

“Murray will find he has to pick his spots wisely. You don’t get many of them and you have to be absolutely certain when they arrive. If you get it wrong, you could leave yourself exposed and end up in trouble.

“Martin knows this, though. He’s a clever, seasoned fighter. In some ways, he’s more experienced than me. He’s as ready as he’ll ever be.”

*** Boxing superstar Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin defends his WBA Super world middleweight title against Britain’s Martin Murray on Saturday, February 21 in Monte Carlo, LIVE on Channel 5 ***

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www.channel5.com
www.maxinutrition.com
www.hennessysports.com
www.goldengloves.co.za
www.k2promos.com

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Monte-Carlo (February 14, 2015) Seven days out from their highly anticipated World Middleweight Championship, GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN and MARTIN MURRAY have both weighed in within the World Boxing Council’s (‘WBC’) required limits heading into their February 21 clash in Monte-Carlo.

From his training camp in Big Bear Lake, California, Golovkin, the WBA/IBO and WBC ‘Interim’ Middleweight Champion weighed in at 163lbs. while top rated challenger Murray hit the scale at 165lbs. on Saturday morning in Johannesburg, South Africa.

For middleweight world title fights, the WBC mandates that fighters must be no more than 168lbs. seven days prior to the fight.

GOLOVKIN vs. MURRAY is presented by Golden Gloves of South Africa, K2 Promotions, GGG Promotions, Expo 2017 and Tsesnabank, Casino de Monte Carlo along with Monte Carlo SBM.

The fight from the Salle des Etoiles in Monte-Carlo will be telecast worldwide including Live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 5:45 p.m. ET/PT in the United States

Monte-Carlo, New York, Johannesburg (February 11, 2015) — Having spent time with MARTIN MURRAY in Johannesburg at the weekend, South African promoter RODNEY BERMAN says he expects a fierce contest when Murray and GENNADY GOLOVKIN square off in Monte Carlo for Golovkin’s WBA Super World middleweight, interim WBC World middleweight and IBO middleweight titles next weekend.

Berman’s Golden Gloves is promoting the Monte-Carlo “Thunderbolt” show in association with K2 Promotions and GGG Promotions.

Golovkin (31-0, 28 KOs) is on a record 18 consecutive knockouts and will be seeking another against Murray (29-1-1, 12 KOs), the highly-regarded WBC number one contender

“Obviously Martin is in the best shape he’s ever been, having worked incredibly hard in the summer heat down here. He’s pretty much in a no-lose situation because of the aura around Golovkin. If he goes the distance and doesn’t get the decision, that’s okay based on the reputation of Golovkin. But if Martin wins the world will be his oyster.”

Berman added that Murray’s camp has a plan and is very confident of executing it on February 21.

But he also expects a very determined Golovkin, knowing full well the intensity he brings to the action given that he has twice promoted him in the recent past, both times in Monaco.

“Golovkin has super fights down the road, against guys like Miguel Cotto and Andre Ward, so he can’t afford to slip up now, he can’t afford not to have a good showing.”
With major international broadcast coverage guaranteed – the fight is being broadcast on HBO in the US and throughout Europe and elsewhere – Berman says the crescendo in and around Monte Carlo is building.

“There is a realisation that this is Golovkin’s first real test. He’s fighting a guy who, to all intents and purposes, is unbeaten. He’s bigger and he can handle himself. Murray also won’t freeze. He’s known dark times and dealt with trauma; fighting a man with two arms, like him, holds no fears.”

GOLOVKIN vs MURRAY is presented by Golden Gloves of South Africa, K2 Promotions, GGG Promotions, Expo 2017 and Tsesnabank, Casino de Monte-Carlo along with Monte-Carlo SBM.
The fight will be broadcast internationally from the beautiful Salle des Etoiles venue in Monte-Carlo.

LONDON (6 FEB) Former world middleweight title challenger Matthew Macklin believes old adversary Gennady Golovkin will successfully defend his WBA Super world middleweight title against Martin Murray on February 21, LIVE on Channel 5, but is hoping the British challenger can pull off an almighty upset against all odds.

Thirty-two-year-old Macklin challenged Golovkin in June 2013 and came up short, losing via stoppage in round three. Since then he has watched the man known as ‘GGG’ go from strength to strength, defending his belt a further four times, and now awaits the challenge of Murray in Monte Carlo.

“I think Martin’s a solid all-rounder with a good defence,” said Macklin. “He’s not a massive puncher, but he looks physically strong, and he’s technically sound and very well-schooled. He doesn’t telegraph his shots. He’s tough and seems to have a decent chin.

“Murray has never really been bashed up before, either. He drew with (Felix) Sturm and he lost a close one with (Sergio) Martinez. Both fights were very competitive and Murray didn’t take a lot. He knows how to look after himself at the top level.

“Still, I don’t think Murray can beat Golovkin and I don’t want to romanticise his chances; I’d be surprised if he lasted the distance. But, having said that, Martin has a very tight defence and is a solid enough fighter. If anybody can go rounds with Golovkin, you’d think it would be someone like Murray.”

Of course, going rounds with a fearsome puncher like Golovkin is easier said than done. Macklin has firsthand experience of this. So do 30 other beaten opponents.

“Golovkin is so aggressive and has so much variety,” explained Macklin. “He also hits very hard. He can open up even the tightest of defences.

“In boxing, it’s easy to be relaxed when someone can’t hurt you. But, when they can, it’s a different story. You burn up a lot more nervous energy and you’re panicked into making mistakes. It’s a different ball game with Golovkin.

“Ultimately, I think Golovkin’s composure will shock Murray. That’s what shocked me. He’s very relaxed, with brilliant footwork, and he’s always balanced to throw punches. He judges distance extremely well and can cut off the ring better than anybody.

“It’s not even so much about the power. Obviously, he caught me with a corker of a shot and badly hurt my ribs, but, up to that point, I felt his power was solid but not enough to shake me up. It was more about his all-round ability, his composure and his confidence. Nothing fazes him and he’s able to exert a lot of pressure very quickly.

“I guess a lot will depend on Martin’s ambition. He’ll go into the ring looking to win, but that can quickly change once Golovkin goes to work. You see some guys just looking to survive after a certain point. If you try to win from round one to twelve, it’s unlikely you’ll last the distance with someone like Golovkin.”

No man has lasted the distance with Golovkin since 2008.

Though a fan of the Kazakh destroyer, Macklin hopes countryman Murray can go one better and hand ‘GGG’ his first career defeat.

“I’m a big fan of Golovkin and was a big fan before I fought him,” Macklin admitted. “He’s a fantastic fighter and a lovely guy. I’ll be following his career and supporting him in the future.

“But it would be great for Martin Murray and for British boxing if we could get that world title over here. I think Martin will give a great account of himself. I just don’t think he has enough to beat Golovkin. Then again, this is boxing and big upsets happen. Who would’ve thought ‘Buster’ Douglas could beat Mike Tyson in 1990?”

*** Boxing superstar Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin defends his WBA Super world middleweight title against Britain’s Martin Murray on Saturday, February 21 in Monte Carlo, LIVE on Channel 5 ***

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Monte-Carlo (January 21, 2015) Thirty days out from their highly anticipated World Middleweight Championship, GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN and MARTIN MURRAY have both weighed in within the World Boxing Council’s (‘WBC’) required limits heading into their February 21 clash in Monte-Carlo.

From his training camp in Big Bear Lake, California, Golovkin, the WBA/IBO and WBC ‘Interim’ Middleweight Champion weighed in at 172lbs. while top rated challenger Murray hit the scale at 169lbs. on Wednesday morning in Johannesburg, South Africa.

For middleweight world title fights, the WBC mandates that fighters must be no more than 176lbs. thirty days prior to the fight.

Said TOM LOEFFLER of K2 Promotions, “The interest from the fans and media worldwide has been extraordinary for this event. Golovkin and Murray are exceptionally well conditioned athletes and each will be ready on February 21 to prove who the best middleweight in the world is.”

“Both of these fighters are in excellent shape and boxing fans around the world will be in for an outstanding battle in boxing’s most glamorous division on February 21, “ said RODNEY BERMAN of Golden Gloves of South Africa.

GOLOVKIN vs. MURRAY is presented by Golden Gloves of South Africa, K2 Promotions, GGG Promotions, Expo 2017 and Tsesnabank, Casino de Monte Carlo along with Monte Carlo SBM.

The fight from the Salle des Etoiles in Monte-Carlo will be telecast worldwide including Live on HBO World Championship Boxing® beginning at 5:45 p.m. ET/PT in the United States.

Boxing’s Fastest Rising Superstar, Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, 31-0-0 with 28 KO’s, scored his 18th straight KO victory and 12th defense of his WBA/IBO titles on Saturday, October 18th with a devastating second round knockout of WBC “Interim” Middleweight Champion, Marco Antonio Rubio in front of a standing room only crowd of 9,323 at the StubHub! Center in Carson, California, USA. The attendance was record setting, far surpassing any other previous boxing events held at the acclaimed West Coast venue where many world champions have fought including Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Andre Ward.

Golovkin holds the highest knockout percentage in world title fights of any active champion with a perfect 100%.

A native of Karaganda, Kazakhstan, now residing in Los Angeles, California, Golovkin has fought twice previously in Monte Carlo. In March 2012, Golovkin knocked out former world champion Nobuhiro Ishida in the third stanza, which earned him numerous “Knockout of the Year” awards from the international boxing media and scored a sixth round stoppage of former world title challenger Osumanu Adama in February 2013, both fights taking place at the Salle des Etoiles.

On October 25th, Martin Murray stopped Dominico Spada in the fifth round also at the Salle des Etoiles in Monte Carlo. Golovkin was ringside for the Murray/Spada bout and came away impressed by his performance. With the victory, Murray of Merseyside, United Kingdom improved his record to 29-1-1 (13KO’s).

In April 2012, Murray traveled to Buenos Aries, Argentina and battled hometown world champion Sergio Martinez. Despite dropping Martinez in the eighth round, he lost a highly controversial decision in a bout many in the media and ringside observers believe he was victorious in.

Three fights earlier, Murray headed to Mannheim, Germany in December 2011 to challenge also hometown world champion Felix Sturm. Outlanding Sturm throughout the fight with blistering power punches, most ringside observers and media members also thought he won this fight despite the scoring of a highly controversial split decision draw.

By Norm Frauenheim–

Gennady Golovkin’s stop in Los Angeles Wednesday at the end of an international tour for his Feb. 21 bout with Martin Murray in Monaco was an anti-dote, timely relief from speculation about what’s happening or not happening in negotiations for Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Canelo Alvarez-Miguel Cotto.

Boxing is stuck in never-never land these days, but at least there’s Golovkin, who brings a clear sense of purpose and direction to what he’s doing.

Some of the best-known names continue to avoid him with a litany of tired excuses. The latest, Peter Quillin, said Golovkin just isn’t a draw. Huh? Didn’t he just sell out the Stub Hub Center in Carson, Calif., for his quick stoppage of Marco Antonio Rubio? Quillin wishes he could draw crowds like GGG.

But with that unflappable, what-me-worry grin, Golovkin moves forward, telling a news conference that he plans to fight four times in 2015. The Murray bout is intriguing and perhaps Golovkin’s toughest to date.

Murray knocked down Sergio Martinez and lost a 12-round decision to the then middleweight champ in Buenos Aires. The durable Murray promises to test GGG. But the guess here is that Golovkin wins in the late rounds for a 19th successive stoppage.

Then what? Some familiar names were mentioned Wednesday. Golovkin trainer Abel Sanchez continues to talk about Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Chavez, he says, has a style that would produce a dynamically dramatic bout with Golovkin. But Chavez’ contract problems with Top Rank could put him on the legal shelf for a while.

Here’s another idea: Go straight to Canelo Alvarez, the popular Mexican who is moving up weight for a shot at Cotto’s 160-pound title. Canelo has said he’s willing to fight Golovkin. Representatives for Canelo and Cotto are reportedly close to a deal for a May 2 bout, another potential classic in the great Mexican-Puerto Rican rivalry.

There was talk that the agreement would be announced Tuesday. Tuesday came and went with no news. As of Thursday, there was still nothing. A snag? Breakdown? Maybe not. But you never know.

If talks stall, Golovkin should let Golden Boy Promotions know that he’s willing and available for the May 2 date that Canelo wants, no matter happens with Mayweather-Pacquiao and Mayyweather’s attempt to take ownership of the Cinco de Mayo celebration. Mayweather, who calls the prized date Cinco de Mayweather, showed up at a Pacer-Lakers game on Jan. 5 at Staples Center in Los Angeles decked out in Mexican colors.

It was his way of courting Mexican fans. But it could backfire. Mayweather in the green, white and red might be seen as trespassing on Mexico’s historical turf. Meanwhile, Mexican fans already have begun to embrace Golovkin. Before GGG’s victory over Rubio in October, some of those same fans arrived at the Stub Hub Center wearing T-shirts that said: “Mexicans for Golovkin.’’

If Canelo-Golovkin gets done and Canelo wins, then a Golovkin bout could be negotiated for the September date that celebrates Mexican Independence. Mayweather wants to own that date, too. Golovkin could help Canelo in his fight to re-claim it.

Monte-Carlo, New York, Johannesburg (January 8, 2015) — Martin Murray arrives in South Africa this weekend to set up camp ahead of his February 21 clash with WBC Interim and WBA and IBO middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin in Monte-Carlo on February 21.

The Englishman is in the middle of a 12-week training programme his advisor Andrew Mikhail describes as “pure hell” in anticipation of the toughest fight of his 31-bout career.
With no family in tow, Murray intends leading a Spartan training existence, going out only to former welterweight contender Harold Volbrecht’s nearby gym on the eastern side of Johannesburg for workouts. He will have trainer Oliver Harrison, two UK sparring partners and his chef alongside, leaving nothing to chance in his third championship crack.
Murray respects Golovkin, but cares little for the prediction that he will be yet another lamb to the slaughter next month.
“This is once in a lifetime, a massive fight. I’m up for it, I really am. Golovkin is favourite, but I’ve been in this position before, against Sergio Martinez. I don’t focus on what people say. I’m doing what I do. The more people who think he beats me, the better.”
The warm African conditions, Johannesburg’s 1700m (5577 feet) altitude and excellent training facilities appealed to Murray (29-1-1, 12 KOs) despite having to leave his family behind.
“It’s painful,” he said, “but I’m giving myself every possibility. It’s all business.”
Speaking while working up a sweat on his stationary bike at home in St Helens, Murray said that he had spent a lot of time watching Golovkin (31-0, 28 KOs) on tape. “I like watching the best of my opponents. It switches me on more.”
He sees what we all do, chiefly power and speed, but he also sees chinks in the champion’s armour.
“I’m big for a middleweight and have a lot of advantages in size and defence.”
His sparring partners, who will be supplemented by South African fighters, will be expected to mimic Golovkin. “I want them throwing bombs, that’s what I’m looking for,” Murray says excitedly.
Mikhail is one of the few expecting an upset from the WBC # 1 contender. “Martin is putting himself through the pain barrier like I’ve never seen before. It’s on a different level. His mind is so powerful, it’s unbelievable.
“Things could hardly be worse than fighting in Argentina, as he did in 2013, when he had 50 000 Argentines baying for him, spitting on him. In Monte-Carlo three-quarters of the arena will be full of Englishmen.”
He says that Golovkin cannot afford to be complacent. “We recently watched all his fights. Martin is far and away the best he will have fought. Martin would have beaten all the guys Golovkin has. Golovkin is unbelievable, but he has faults as well. If he can KO Martin, he’s very special. I would then rate him the greatest middleweight of them all, like a Hagler or a Sugar Ray. I really mean that.”
Murray himself is counting the days to his big fight date. “I want this more than anything. This is my time. I must keep cracking on.”

GOLOVKIN vs MURRAY is presented by Golden Gloves of South Africa, K2 Promotions, GGG Promotions, Expo 2017 and Tsesnabank, Casino de Monte-Carlo along with Monte-Carlo SBM.

The fight will be broadcast internationally from the beautiful Salle des Etoiles venue in Monte-Carlo.

Big Bear Lake, CA (December 25, 2014) While wishing his fans across the globe a “Merry Christmas”, WBA/IBO and WBC ‘Interim’ Middleweight World Champion GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN spent the holiday training for his upcoming world title defense against two-time world title challenger MARTIN MURRAY, the WBC’s #1 ranked middleweight set for Saturday, February 21 at the Salle des Etoiles in Monte-Carlo.

Golovkin is training at The Summit High Altitude Training Center in Big Bear Lake, California under longtime trainer ABEL SANCHEZ. The duo has worked together at the Southern California camp since June 2010.

“It feels great to be back in camp,” said Golovkin. “We’re working hard with my Coach Abel Sanchez to put on another exciting show in Monte-Carlo against Martin Murray.”

“Gennady was looking forward to starting his training,” said TOM LOEFFLER of K2 Promotions. “This is an excellent matchup between the best middleweight and the #1 rated challenger and Gennady will be well prepared to defend his titles against Murray on February 21.”

Prior to the start of training camp, Golovkin traveled the globe for press conferences in front of huge crowds of media in Monte Carlo, Astana, London and Mexico City. He also attended the WBC Convention in Las Vegas.

“Gennady is one of the most internationally marketable fighters in the world. At every stop the attention we received was overwhelming from the media and fans,” continued Loeffler.

Boxing’s Fastest Rising Superstar, Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, 31-0-0 with 28 KO’s, scored his 18th straight stoppage and 12th defense of his WBA title on Saturday, October 18th with a devastating second round knockout of WBC “Interim” Middleweight Champion, Marco Antonio Rubio in front of a standing room crowd of 9,323 at the StubHub! Center in Carson, California, USA. The attendance was record setting, far surpassing any other previous boxing events held at the acclaimed West Coast venue including those featuring Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Andre Ward.

A native of Karaganda, Kazakhstan, now residing in Stuttgart, Germany, Golovkin has fought twice previously in Monte Carlo. In March 2012, Golovkin knocked out former world champion Nobuhiro Ishida in the third stanza, which earned him numerous “Knockout of the Year” awards from the international boxing media and scored a sixth round stoppage of former world title challenger Osumanu Adama in February 2013, also taking place at the Salle des Etoiles.

On October 25, Martin Murray stopped Dominic Spada in the fifth round also at the Salle des Etoiles in Monte Carlo. Golovkin was ringside for the Murray/Spada bout and came away impressed by his performance. With the victory, Murray of Merseyside, United Kingdom improved his record to 29-1-1 (13KO’s).

In April 2012, Murray traveled to Buenos Aries, Argentina and battled hometown world champion Sergio Martinez. Despite dropping Martinez in the eighth round, he lost a controversial decision in a bout many in the media and ringside observers believe he was victorious in.

Three fights earlier, Murray headed to Mannheim, Germany in December 2011 to challenge also hometown champion Felix Sturm. Outlanding Sturm throughout the fight with blistering power punches, most ringside observers and media members also thought he won this fight despite settling for a highly controversial split decision draw.

GOLOVKIN vs. MURRAY is presented by Golden Gloves of South Africa, K2 Promotions, GGG Promotions, Expo 2017 and Tsesnabank, Casino de Monte Carlo along with Monte Carlo SBM.

Monte-Carlo (December 17, 2014) Advance ticket information has been released for the highly anticipated World Middleweight Championship between WBA/IBO and WBC ‘Interim’ Middleweight World Champion GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN and WBC #1 ranked, two-time world title challenger MARTIN MURRAY set for Saturday, February 21st at the Salle des Etoiles in Monte-Carlo.

Advance tickets starting at 200€ can be purchased by calling the Monte-Carlo SBM Ticket Office at + 377 98 06 36 36 (Daily from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. CET) or by email at TicketOffice@SBM.mc.

Tickets are also available online through www.FNACTickets.com and www.DigiTick.com.

Boxing fans are also eligible to receive a 10% special rate discount at the beautiful Monte-Carlo Bay & Resort located adjacent to the Salle des Etoiles venue. Using the code ‘Bonanza’, reservations can be made online through www.MonteCarloBay.com.

Boxing’s Fastest Rising Superstar, Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, 31-0-0 with 28 KO’s, scored his 18th straight stoppage and 12th defense of his WBA/IBO titles on Saturday, October 18th with a devastating second round knockout of WBC “Interim” Middleweight Champion, Marco Antonio Rubio in front of a standing room only crowd of 9,323 at the StubHub! Center in Carson, California, USA. The attendance was record setting, far surpassing any other previous boxing events held at the acclaimed West Coast venue including those featuring Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Andre Ward.

A native of Karaganda, Kazakhstan, now residing in Stuttgart, Germany, Golovkin has fought twice previously in Monte-Carlo. In March 2012, Golovkin knocked out former world champion Nobuhiro Ishida in the third stanza, which earned him numerous “Knockout of the Year” awards from the international boxing media and scored a sixth round stoppage of former world title challenger Osumanu Adama in February 2013, also taking place at the Salle des Etoiles.

On October 25, Martin Murray stopped Dominic Spada in the fifth round also at the Salle des Etoiles in Monte-Carlo. Golovkin was ringside for the Murray/Spada bout and came away impressed by his performance. With the victory, Murray of Merseyside, United Kingdom improved his record to 29-1-1 (13KO’s).

In April 2012, Murray traveled to Buenos Aries, Argentina and battled hometown world champion Sergio Martinez. Despite dropping Martinez in the eighth round, he lost a controversial decision in a bout many in the media and ringside observers believe he was victorious in.

Three fights earlier, Murray headed to Mannheim, Germany in December 2011 to challenge also hometown champion Felix Sturm. Outlanding Sturm throughout the fight with blistering power punches, most ringside observers and media members also thought he won this fight despite settling for a highly controversial split decision draw.

GOLOVKIN vs. MURRAY is presented by Golden Gloves of South Africa, K2 Promotions, GGG Promotions, Expo 2017 and Tsesnabank, Casino de Monte-Carlo along with Monte-Carlo SBM.

Big Bear Lake, CA (December 16, 2014) Following a world wind International Press Tour with stops in Monte Carlo, Astana, London and Mexico City, WBA/IBO and WBC ‘Interim’ Middleweight World Champion GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN has opened training camp in Big Bear Lake, California for his upcoming world title defense against two-time world title challenger MARTIN MURRAY, the WBC’s #1 ranked middleweight.

Under the watchful eye of longtime trainer ABEL SANCHEZ, Golovkin is slated to defend his titles on Saturday, February 21st at the Salle des Etoiles in Monte Carlo.

“It was a very busy time these last few weeks but I liked spending time with the media and fans all over the world,” said Golovkin on Monday, speaking from the World Boxing Council Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. “I look forward to starting training camp with my coach and putting on another great show in Monte Carlo.”

Stated TOM LOEFFLER of K2 Promotions, “The response Gennady has received all over the world these last few weeks has been extraordinary. From both media and fans it’s clear that he’s the fastest rising international star in boxing.”

“Gennady is also anxious to start training and looks forward to the biggest test of his career facing Martin Murray who is rated at the top of the middleweight division.”

The Five-City International Press Tour for Golovkin will culminate in Los Angeles with details of a January press conference to be announced shortly.

Boxing’s Fastest Rising Superstar, Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, 31-0-0 with 28 KO’s, scored his 18th straight stoppage and 12th defense of his WBA/IBO titles on Saturday, October 18th with a devastating second round knockout of WBC “Interim” Middleweight Champion, Marco Antonio Rubio in front of a standing room only crowd of 9,323 at the StubHub! Center in Carson, California, USA. The attendance was record setting, far surpassing any other previous boxing events held at the acclaimed West Coast venue including those featuring Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Andre Ward.

A native of Karaganda, Kazakhstan, now residing in Stuttgart, Germany, Golovkin has fought twice previously in Monte Carlo. In March 2012, Golovkin knocked out former world champion Nobuhiro Ishida in the third stanza, which earned him numerous “Knockout of the Year” awards from the international boxing media and scored a sixth round stoppage of former world title challenger Osumanu Adama in February 2013, also taking place at the Salle des Etoiles.

On October 25, Martin Murray stopped Dominic Spada in the fifth round also at the Salle des Etoiles in Monte Carlo. Golovkin was ringside for the Murray/Spada bout and came away impressed by his performance. With the victory, Murray of Merseyside, United Kingdom improved his record to 29-1-1 (13KO’s).

In April 2012, Murray traveled to Buenos Aries, Argentina and battled hometown world champion Sergio Martinez. Despite dropping Martinez in the eighth round, he lost a controversial decision in a bout many in the media and ringside observers believe he was victorious in.

Three fights earlier, Murray headed to Mannheim, Germany in December 2011 to challenge also hometown champion Felix Sturm. Outlanding Sturm throughout the fight with blistering power punches, most ringside observers and media members also thought he won this fight despite settling for a highly controversial split decision draw.

GOLOVKIN vs. MURRAY is presented by Golden Gloves of South Africa, K2 Promotions, GGG Promotions, Expo 2017 and Tsesnabank, Casino de Monte Carlo along with Monte Carlo SBM.

Congratulations. Your recent tournament in Monte Carlo delivered high-quality match-ups. Presumably your partners in Monaco were very satisfied?
I would hope so. The objective is gaining publicity for the principality, encouraging tourism, that sort of thing. It was very well received internationally.
The reality is we have been moving towards Gennady Golovkin against Martin Murray, which will be a mega-event.

You are now promoting Martin Murray and have co-promoted a number of Gennady Golovkin’s fights in Monaco. How difficult was it to put together Murray versus Golovkin for next February?
It was relatively easy. It was a very unique situation: both Golovkin and Murray are thorough gentlemen and [K2 Promotions’] Tom Loeffler, on Golovkin’s side, is one of the most honourable guys I’ve had the pleasure of dealing with. Andrew Mikhail, Murray’s advisor, is of the same ilk. They understand the logistics. Outside of a Miguel Cotto or Canelo Alvarez fight, Murray against Golovkin was an obvious choice for international television and a great fans’ fight.

Are you torn? It is well-known that you have an excellent relationship with each.
Yes, it’s very difficult. Golovkin has done a helluva lot for Golden Gloves. It has been a privilege promoting him and it’s fair to say part of his stature has grown from his past fights in Monte Carlo.
And we promote Murray. As I said when it was announced, this is a very hard fight for me . . . both guys are very dear to me. As long as it’s a good, competitive fight, neither fighter truly “loses”. I can assure you Murray is not going to be another Marco Antonio Rubio.

What qualities do they each bring to the fight and what do you think will be critical in determining a winner?
The jury is still out to some extent on GGG’s super status. He hasn’t fought the superstars as yet. From what I’ve seen, all of his opponents, perhaps with the exception of Curtis Stevens, were defeated before they stepped foot in the ring.
Murray, though, comes from a tough background. I will venture to say that he will be the first challenger who won’t be overwhelmed. He has true boxing skills and will also be the biggest middleweight Golovkin will have fought.
Remember, Murray is probably a two-time uncrowned champion who gave a peak Sergio Martinez a very good fight.
One of the reasons I give Murray a chance is that Golden Gloves has been involved in some of the biggest upsets in recent years – Hasim Rahman beating Lennox Lewis, Corrie Sanders knocking out Wladimir Klitschko, Harry Simon beating Winky Wright and Vuyani Bungu handling Kennedy McKinney. The list is uncanny.

What has the appetite been from the international broadcast community for February’s big fight?
Outstanding. There has been much competition in various countries for the rights because it is seen as a proper fight. HBO in the US, Channel 5 in the UK, Chinese television and SuperSport across Africa will all be taking the fight, plus many more regions.

The venue in Monte Carlo is a small, intimate one. Given the scale of the fight, how do you plan on satisfying the fans, media, dignitaries and VIP’s?
It’s great because the demand will exceed the supply 100-fold. It’s virtually sold out already. The pressure for tickets doubles the value for television.
The truth is we can’t ensure everyone who wants a ticket will get one. We have to be very selective, it’s one of those things. When we ventured into Monte Carlo, this is what we knew.

Golden Gloves has been around a long time and promoted many big names, among them Shane Mosley, Lennox Lewis, Gennady Golovkin, Corrie Sanders and Brian Mitchell. You have made big headway in Europe and are planning to promote in the UK. Tell us more about your business model and ambitions.
I’m a front man. I have a lot of support from top drawer partners, from our driver to the matchmaker, who are all a part of Golden Gloves’ success.
The reason for our success is we run on corporate lines and don’t let emotions get in the way. We are fortunate that SuperSport Television in South Africa were very much part of our success, as was [hotel group] Sun International and more latterly Peermont.
We have also been blessed with very good fighters. We are probably getting stronger and stronger promotionally. We are getting requests from a lot of international boxers to join us. We will soon promote in England and have been approached by another country in Europe.
My one ambition, probably unattainable, is to promote a black world heavyweight champion born and bred in South Africa.

You have a tremendous little fighter in the shape of WBA and IBO minimumweight champion Hekkie Budler, fresh off a win against former WBC champion Xiong Zhao Zhong. What are your plans with him?
I’m hoping Hekkie won’t be deprived of his true greatness. Zhong refused to fight him when he was WBC champion, and Hekkie beat him convincingly last month.
[WBC champion] Oswaldo Novoa similarly rejected an offer to fight him in a unification. It’s extremely difficult to make those fights.
I’m almost certain that we will soon feature him on a K2 Promotions undercard in the United States where Hekkie can become just as marketable as guys like Chiquita Gonzalez and Michael Carbajal. That’s what we’re aiming for.

Unbeaten Tommy Oosthuizen also makes his return after a year’s layoff against Denis Grachev this weekend. He’s had a few issues with indiscipline in the past. What does the future hold for Tommy?
Tommy is the captain of his own soul. He has unlimited ability, but it’s up to him. There are opportunities if he satisfies us and knuckles down. Depending how he goes against Grachev, I will push for him at the WBC convention to get suitable recognition in the light-heavyweight division.

There was the recent death of a female boxer in a South African ring and there have been tremendous issues with Boxing South Africa. What is your view on the state of SA boxing?
I would rather not comment.

Monaco, October 25 — The deal has been signed – unbeaten WBA, IBO and WBC Interim middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin (31-0, 28 KOs) of Kazakhstan will fight top-rated Martin Murray (28-1-1, 12 KOs) of the UK in Monte Carlo on February 21.

Golden Gloves and K2 Promotions announced the bout minutes after Murray’s successful WBC Silver belt defence against Domenico Spada in Monaco on Saturday.
Golovkin will go in search of his record 19th straight stoppage while Murray will be hoping it is third time lucky after two previous title bids were rebuffed by the judges.
“Murray is generally regarded as the best middleweight outside the world champions,” said promoter Rodney Berman. “As we all know, he’s a world champion without a belt. He won’t be intimidated for one second fighting ‘GGG’, unlike all of Golovkin’s challengers.”
Tom Loeffler of K2 Promotions agreed. “Arguably, Martin Murray will be the toughest opponent Gennady has ever faced. It’s a great way to follow up the Marco Antonio Rubio win: coming back to Europe and Monte Carlo against a top-rated middleweight contender.
“It fits in perfectly as Murray has shown he is world class and Gennady wants to continue to prove himself the most exciting fighter out there. Gennady is making big inroads in the US, but it’s also important for the fight to be in primetime in Europe where he has so many fans.”
Murray has won four fights since dropping a narrow decision to then-WBC champion Sergio Martinez in 2013, the last two of which were in Monte Carlo.
Golovkin has won 13 straight world championship fights – all by stoppage – on his way to confirming his status as the world’s most exciting boxer.
He has also fought twice before in Monte Carlo, beating Nobuhiro Ishida in 2013 and Osumanu Adama in February.
He was ringside in Monte Carlo on Saturday and said: “It feels great to get this fight. Murray is a great fighter, very strong. I remember the Sergio Martinez bout; it was an amazing fight. Along with Matthew Macklin and Daniel Geale, Murray is one of the best pure boxers in the division.
“I like to test myself. I’m giving him a chance and for Europe this is the biggest fight in the middleweight division. It is important to fight here, where many of my fans and followers are
Said Murray: “I think he’s a top fighter. He’s crushed everybody he’s been in with, but I’ve got the tools to beat any middleweight out there. I wouldn’t be taking the fight if I didn’t think I could win. A lot of his opponents have gone into the fight already beat. You won’t get that with me. I’m gonna go in there and stand up to him.”
Berman rates Golovkin highly, but believes that Murray has a chance of an upset.
“I have the highest regard for Golovkin, but the truth is his opponents have been sitting ducks. Out of fear, they lose the fight before they step into the ring; they’re intimidated and scared. You look at Murray’s background and just know he won’t be cowered. He’s the first guy I’ve seen who will create angles, who won’t stand in front of Golovkin waiting to be hit. Murray will make Golovkin work. He has the ability to outhustle him,” said the man who has famously promoted a number of major upsets over the years.
These include Hasim Rahman’s KO of heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, Corrie Sanders’ blowout of Wladimir Klitschko and Vuyani Bungu’s shock win over unbeaten Kennedy McKinney.
“It doesn’t get better than coming back to Monte Carlo,” added Loeffler. “The atmosphere is electric and Gennady enjoys it. He makes every fight an exciting fight because of his style. Every opponent has a plan . . . until they feel Gennady’s first punch.”
The undercard, Berman assured, would be top rate.

World ranked Middleweight Martin Murray scored a technical decision over Domenico Spada in a scheduled 12-round bout at Salle des etoiles in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

Murray was a head when a cut around the right eye of Spada ended the fight.

Murray was ahead by scores of 69-67, 67-66 and 68-63 and raised his record to 29-1-1. Spada of Italy drops to 39-6.

Murray now could be in line to face Gennady Golovkin in 2015.

Randy Caballero scored a 12-round unanimous decision over Stuart Hall to capture the vacant IBF Bantamweight title.

Caballero, 117 lbs of Cochella, Ca won by scores of 118-110 and 116-111 twice and is now 22-0. Hall, 117 lbs of of England is 16-4-2.

Caballero scored a knockdown in round two from a hard one-two combination.

Eleider Alvarez scored a 7th round stoppage over Ryno Liebenberg in a scheduled 12-round battle of undefeated Light Heavyweights.

Alvarez dropped Liebenberg in round seven with a uppercut and he was cut badly under his left eye and the fight was stopped at 1:52 of round seven.

Alvarez of Montreal is now 16-0 with 9 knockouts. Liebenberg of South Africa is now 16-1.

LONDON (24 OCT) St. Helens middleweight Martin Murray knows victory on Saturday night (October 25) against Italian Domencio Spada could set him up for a February date with WBA world middleweight champion Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin.

He is reminded of this in every interview and conversation and will be reminded further when the fearsome Golovkin takes his seat at ringside in Monte Carlo and watches Murray and Spada do battle for the WBC Silver middleweight title.

“It’s been a motivation thing for me,” said Murray, 28-1-1 (12 KOs). “People talk about Golovkin and you’ve got to answer questions about it, but the more people I get asking me about it, the more I get motivated to do a proper job on Spada this Saturday night.

“I knew I had a world title shot against Sergio Martinez back in 2013, but I still had to go out there and beat Jorge Navarro to get it. It’s the same tomorrow. If I don’t beat Spada, there’s no world title fight.

“For that reason, I’m completely focused on Spada and am not thinking about Golovkin one bit. In fact, I didn’t even watch his fight against Marco Antonio Rubio at the weekend. I just completely ignored it. Instead, I stuck on a DVD of Spada that morning to keep me focused.

“I want the Golovkin fight and it’s one I’ve always wanted. It’s one I look forward to. But, in order to get the fight I want, I have to beat Spada on Saturday night.”

Since losing a contentious decision in Argentina to then WBC world middleweight champion Sergio Martinez, Murray has gone from strength to strength, beating the likes of Max Bursak and Sergey Khomitsky in distance fights and picking up the WBC Silver title.

Spada, his first challenger, hails from Roma and is a former WBC International champion and European title challenger. Now 34, Spada, 39-5 (19 KOs), remains robust and durable at a world-class level.

“He’s experienced,” said Murray. “His style is horrible and awkward but it works for him. You look at videos of him and think he looks very beatable. He looks like he’s got nothing about him. But then you look at his record and look at the people he has fought and beat and you start to realise that he makes his style work for him.

“He’s got a good record. He pushed Darren Barker close and then Darren went on to win a world middleweight title.

“His style isn’t the prettiest and he can be quite dirty at times, but that’s not to say he isn’t dangerous. If you overlook someone like Spada, he’ll make you regret it.”

The 32-year-old continued: “I think he’s going to come out fast. He’s smaller than me in height and in build and he’ll probably look to get inside on me early. I’m expecting him to start fast and look to work me over with big shots. He’ll try to rough me up. He’ll be physical.

“But we’ve worked on picking clean shots as he’s coming in – working shots around the sides and bringing them up through the middle. I’ll be landing on him whenever he opens up and slowing him down. I want to control the first half of the fight and then completely take over in the second. I want to get the stoppage if I can.

“First and foremost, though, I have to just get the job done. I need to go in there and execute the game plan. But, of course, we’ve been working on finishing shots and I’m looking to take him out when the opportunity comes. I want to go in there and make a statement.”

Murray’s scheduled 12-rounder with Spada will be televised on Channel 5 this Saturday night (October 25) alongside the vacant IBF world bantamweight title fight between Darlington’s Stuart Hall and the unbeaten American Randy Caballero.

The action gets underway at 8.30pm and continues right on through to 11pm, meaning fight fans will be treated to some two-and-a-half hours of world-class boxing. Murray couldn’t be happier.

“It’s absolutely unbelievable to be fighting on Channel 5,” he said. “It’s brilliant for me and my team and it’s brilliant for everyone at home. I get some great exposure out of it and all my friends and family at home can watch me on terrestrial television. That’s priceless for a boxer.

“Since the Felix Sturm fight (in December 2011), I’ve suffered from inactivity and have been in the shadows a little bit. My profile then dipped after the Martinez fight and not a lot of people have been able to see me fight recently. This changes everything, though. It feels like everything I had to put up with in the past has now been worth it.”

*** Hall vs. Caballero, Murray vs. Spada and Blackwell vs. Khomitsky will all be televised this Saturday night (October 25) on Channel 5, 8.30pm – 11pm ***

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ESPN3 and ESPN Deportes will present exclusive live coverage in the U.S. of the 12-round Middleweight fight between England’s Martin Murray (28-1-1, 12 KOs) and Domenico Spada (39-5, 19 KOs) of Italy, which will headline a special boxing presentation on Saturday, October 25. The show, from the Salle des Etoiles in Monte Carlo, will start at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN3 and will be joined in progress on ESPN Deportes at 3 p.m. In addition to live exclusive U.S. coverage, ESPN International will also carry the card live in Australia and New Zealand on ESPN3 and will air a two-hour tape delayed version on ESPN2. The card is promoted by Cyclone Promotions and distributed worldwide by Octapixx LIVE.

Pablo Viruega and Leopoldo González will call the fights for ESPN Deportes, while ESPN3 will utilize the English-language world feed.

Main Event:
Murray, who has won his last three fights and is expected to face WBA Middleweight titlist Gennady Golovkin in February, has fought top-level opposition throughout his career, including former Middleweight titlists Sergio Martinez and Felix Sturm. Spada has also fought top-level opponents, including former interim WBC Middleweight titlist Marco Antonio Rubio.

Undercard:
Saturday’s card will also feature four fights prior to the main event beginning with a six-round Middleweight contest between Nick Blackwell (15-3, 6 KOs) of the UK and Belarus’ Sergey Khomitsky (29-11-2,12 KOs). That fight will be followed by the 12-round WBA Strawweight title fight between titlist Hekkie Budler (26-1, 9 KOs) of South Africa and China’s Xiong Zhao Zhong (24-5-1, 14 KO). Undefeated Light Heavyweights Eleider Alvarez (15-0, 8 KOs), a Colombian native living in Montreal, and Ryno Leibenberg (16-0, 11 KOs) of South Africa, will then meet in a 12-round bout, before California’s Randy Caballero (21-0, 13 KOs) and England’s Stuart Hall (16-3-2, 7 KOs) square off for the vacant IBF Bantamweight title.

About ESPN Boxing
ESPN is home to ESPN Friday Night Fights and ESPN Deportes’ Noche de Combates (Spanish version), a weekly boxing series which runs between January and August and showcases some of the best bouts in the boxing industry. Friday Night Fights began on October 2, 1998 and Noche de Combates (formerly Viernes de Combates) began on January 10, 2004. ESPN began televising boxing on April 10, 1980 when weekly boxing returned to television for the first time since 1964, with the debut of Top Rank Boxing on ESPN.

LONDON (23 OCT) World championship boxing returns to terrestrial television this coming Saturday night (October 25) when Darlington’s Stuart Hall fights American Randy Caballero for the IBF world bantamweight title live on Channel 5.

The show from Monte Carlo – which also features middleweight bouts Martin Murray vs. Domenico Spada and Nick Blackwell vs. Sergey Khomitsky – will commence on Channel 5 at 8.30pm and conclude at 11pm, meaning fight fans will be treated to some two-and-a-half hours’ worth of world-class boxing.

Promoter Mick Hennessy, who put together the deal to bring this Monte Carlo extravaganza to Channel 5, said, “The world title fight between Hall and Caballero will be going out to a much bigger audience than any other world title fight in recent times.

“In fact, not since Carl Froch and Jean Pascal contested the WBC world super-middleweight title in 2008 has a world title fight taken place on terrestrial television in this country.

“Therefore, this is an extremely positive move for the sport and shows that there is still potential to break down the barriers and reach the mainstream.

“Channel 5 have witnessed the talent and marketability of fighters like Tyson Fury and Kid Galahad and are aware that the general public will show an interest in boxing if the product and the fight is right.

“Well, this Saturday night we have a brilliant product and a number of extremely hard-to-call fights, one of which is for a legitimate world championship.

“In an era when many boxing events are marginalised due to subscription channels or pay-per-view, Channel 5 have delivered a world-class event on terrestrial television, one that can be watched by the masses. That can only be an encouraging sign for the growth of the sport in this country.”

Stuart Hall, 16-3 (7 KOs), is a former IBF world bantamweight champion and one of the most exciting fighters in the country. To win back his old belt, though, he must overcome the significant threat of highly-touted Californian Randy Caballero, 21-0 (13 KOs), who has yet to taste defeat in a five-year professional career and has won his last five fights by knockout.

Meanwhile, in a WBC Silver middleweight title fight, St. Helens’ Martin Murray, 28-1-1 (12 KOs), looks to keep his own world title ambitions on track with a win against Italian veteran Domenico Spada, 39-5 (19 KOs). Murray, of course, pushed both Felix Sturm and Sergio Martinez all the way in world middleweight title fights and aims to finally strike gold in the New Year.

Finally, talented Trowbridge middleweight Nick Blackwell meets Belarusian dangerman Sergey Khomitsky over eight rounds.

“All three fights will be shown on Channel 5 this Saturday,” said Hennessy. “Credit to them, Channel 5 have given us a magnificent primetime slot from 8.30pm to 11pm and we will endeavour to make full use of it.

“Fight fans will not be disappointed with the action coming their way. This is world-class, competitive boxing at its very best.”

*** Hall vs. Caballero, Murray vs. Spada and Blackwell vs. Khomitsky will all be televised this Saturday night (October 25) on Channel 5, 8.30pm – 11pm ***

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Monaco/Johannesburg, October 13 – Beating highly-rated Martin Murray will be a short cut to a world title shot, believes Domenico Spada, who challenges for Murray’s WBC Silver middleweight belt in Monte Carlo next weekend.
Ranked #7 by the WBC, Spada (39-5, 19 KOs) has been a perpetual contender in recent years and needs a breakthrough win to force his claims. Defeating Murray (28-1-1, 12 KOs) would do it.
The rugged Italian has been training intensely at his Volcano Gym in Rome under the watchful eye of Valerio Monti. Mornings are occupied by power and resistance training with afternoons spent on technique and sparring.
He claims that a recent defeat to Marco Antonio Rubio, who this weekend fights Gennady Golovkin for the WBA title, has had little impact on his confidence.
“Rubio really disappointed me because he was running away a lot and clinching, he acted like a rabbit. I was confident of winning, but the referee’s conduct and the [WBC scoring system] affected me. I paid less attention to my defence which gave him an opportunity for the stoppage.”
Had he prevailed, it might have been him facing Golovkin. Instead, it is the Mexican Rubio, who Spada predicts won’t last five rounds.
Spada cares little that bookmakers are making Murray a favourite for their bout which headlines the “Title Tornado” tournament. Leading UK betting firm William Hill has offered prohibitive odds of 1/12 on a Murray victory.
“It will be a good opportunity for me and my supporters to earn money,” quipped Spada from his base in Rome.
He rates Murray as a “very good fighter”, asking only that he has a “good and clean fight with me.”
As an amateur – he started boxing at the age of 13 – Spada won three Italian championships. Now into his 12th year as a professional, Spada has fought some of the best men in the division, including Rubio, Sebastian Zbik and former world champion Darren Barker. Oddly, it is little-known Frenchman Francois Bastient who he rates as giving him his toughest fight, in 2006.
With Monte Carlo practically in his backyard, Spada is confident of strong support. “My supporters must stay close,” he says. “I need to feel people who love me around me and I assure them that I will make them proud about me.”
Golden Gloves promoter Rodney Berman, on the verge of securing a major championship shot for Murray, insists that Spada cannot be overlooked by the WBC #1.
“Boxing is littered with sad stories and what-might-have-beens. Spada is very clever and carries a big left hook. I accept that Murray may be the bookmakers’ favourite, but Spada won’t be doing him any favours.”

Known as one of the most exclusive vacation destinations in the world and situated on the Mediterranean Sea in South West Europe, Monaco attracts millions of visitors each year. The Casino de Monte-Carlo, owned and operated by the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, is the premiere casino destination in Europe. The Casino de Monte-Carlo continues to attract some of the wealthiest and most well-known celebrities and aristocrats throughout the world.

London/Johannesburg, October 6 – In a major coup for UK boxing fans, October 25’s “Title Tornado” tournament in Monte Carlo, jointly headlined by the UK’s Martin Murray in a world title eliminator and Stuart Hall in a world title fight, will be broadcast live on Channel Five in Britain.

Working in collaboration with leading promoter Mick Hennessy, and Hennessy Sports’ William Storey, Golden Gloves promoter Rodney Berman has ensured that Murray’s WBC Silver middleweight title defence against Domenico Spada and Hall’s IBF world title fight against undefeated Randy Caballero will be seen by millions of households live on UK terrestrial television.

This is a significant milestone for the sport given that the last major world title fight broadcast live on UK terrestrial television was Carl Froch against Jean Pascal for the WBC title in December 2008, also promoted by Mick Hennessy on ITV.

“I’m delighted,” said Hennessy, who in the past has developed and promoted top boxers including the likes of Junior Witter, Carl Froch, Darren Barker, Howard Eastman, Herbie Hide and James De Gale. He currently promotes heavyweight sensation Tyson Fury and Super bantamweight star Kid Galahad, among many others.

“Murray is an elite-level fighter with a huge following at home. The fans deserve to see more of him.”

Another British highlight on the card is former world champion Hall’s crack at the IBF world title. UK fight fans will be able to see live whether Hall can regain the world title he held until four months ago. British fight fans will also get to see Europe’s most avoided middleweight, the West Country Warrior Nick Blackwell, making his Monte Carlo debut.

Berman expects over 100 countries to tune into the Monte Carlo tournament, which also features two world championship fights and another WBC Silver belt championship bout between unbeaten Ryno Liebenberg of South Africa and undefeated Eleider Alvarez of Colombia, with the winner certain to step into a full-blown world title fight against Adonis Stevenson.

When China’s Xiong Zhao Zhong challenges South African Hekkie Budler for the WBA and IBO minimumweight belts, expectations are that 300 million Chinese will watch the fight live, according to manager Gang Liu.

Africa’s SuperSport, which broadcasts in 54 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, will also broadcast the event.

Known as one of the most exclusive vacation destinations in the world and situated on the Mediterranean Sea in South West Europe, Monaco attracts millions of visitors each year. The Casino de Monte-Carlo, owned and operated by the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, is the premiere casino destination in Europe. The Casino de Monte-Carlo continues to attract some of the wealthiest and most well-known celebrities and aristocrats throughout the world.

This world class event is exclusively distributed internationally by leading boxing rights distributor and sports marketing firm, Octapixx LIVE. The company is presently in conversation with top broadcasters worldwide to ensure that the October 25 telecast can be seen by sports fans everywhere.

Monaco/Johannesburg, September 13 – World-rated middleweight Martin Murray began sparring on Friday in anticipation of his October 25 showdown against perennial contender Domenico Spada on the Golden Gloves “Title Tornado” tournament in Monte Carlo.

Murray, rated #1 by the WBC and #3 by the IBF, is engaged in a 10-week training camp under the guidance of trainer Oliver Harrison designed to have him in peak condition for his second outing in the principality.
Murray has been promised a world title bout in February – provided he overcomes the 44-fight battler from Italy. Spada is 39-5 (19 KOs).
Spada, who has fought the likes of Marco Antonio Rubio, Darren Barker and Sebastian Zbik, has won seven of his last eight and is determined to re-enter the title picture by upsetting the man from St Helens in the UK.
“He’s very experienced, you can’t buy that,” said Murray (28-1-1, 12 KOs) from his home. “He’ll fight anyone at any time. What you see is what you get with Spada. He hasn’t got a nice style, but he’s game and comes to win. He’s a tough fighter and he’ll love fighting in Monte Carlo, which will be like his back yard as he lives in Rome.
“He’s gonna come in good condition; he’s got a point to prove. I’m expecting the best, but I’m a level above.”
Given that he is on the cusp of a championship shot, Murray knows that he cannot produce anything less than an outstanding performance next month. “This is why I’m not looking past Spada,” he says. “I’m approaching this like a world title. Whichever Spada turns up, though, I will beat all day long.”
Murray is intrigued by the movement in the middleweight division, much of it remarkable. There is IBF holder Sam Soliman’s on-again off-again fight with Jermain Taylor (who is accused of shooting his cousin), WBA champion Gennady Golovkin’s looming fight with Rubio, Peter Quillin’s decision to vacate the WBO belt and WBC champion Miguel Cotto’s plan not to fight until 2015.
Murray has myriad options, but knows that they will come to naught unless he wins in Monte Carlo.
“The boxing is going really well. I felt I did pretty good against Max Bursak in June and I’ll be looking to do even better against Spada. If I get through this, there’s a world title and that’s the aim.”
Murray has had two title shots in recent years, in the first instance drawing with then-WBA champion Felix Sturm and then, last April, losing a controversial decision to then-WBC champion Sergio Martinez.
Golden Gloves promoter Rodney Berman, who looks after Murray, is excited at the possibilities.
“The thing no-one can deny about Martin is his boxing smarts. He’s very slick and skilled. There might be bigger punchers out there and more rugged middleweights, but there are few who are smarter than him. He’s well placed to get a title shot, but we can’t get ahead of ourselves. First he has a job to do in Monte Carlo where the Barmy Army will be in full voice backing their man.”
The “Title Tornado” card includes WBA/IBO strawweight champion Hekkie Budler’s title defence against Xiong Zhao Zhong of China, the IBF title fight between Randy Caballero of the US and Stuart Hall of the UK and the WBC Silver light-heavyweight fight between unbeaten prospects Ryno Liebenberg of South Africa and Eleider Alvarez of Colombia.

Known as one of the most exclusive vacation destinations in the world and situated on the Mediterranean Sea in South West Europe, Monaco attracts millions of visitors each year. The Casino de Monte-Carlo, owned and operated by the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, is the premiere casino destination in Europe. The Casino de Monte-Carlo continues to attract some of the wealthiest and most well-known celebrities and aristocrats throughout the world.

Middleweight Martin Murray’s charge to the world championship will continue on another Golden Gloves bill that takes place in Monaco on October 25.

The tournament will be staged at the glittering Salles des’Etoiles, which hosted the Golden Gloves Super Eight event and has also featured superstars from the world of music.

Having established himself in the principality with a dominant performance in June, Murray (28-1-1, 12 KOs) returns for his second outing there against rugged Domenico Spada (38-5, 19 KOs) of Italy, rated #8 by the WBC. It marks the first defence of Murray’s WBC Silver belt.

The tournament also includes three other championship fights.

Dual champion Hekkie Budler (26-1, 9 KOs) of South Africa, holder of the WBA and IBO strawweight titles, defends against former champion Xiong Zhao Zhong (24-5-1, 14 KOs).

American Randy Caballero (21-0, 13 KOs), the IBF #1, will venture out of California to fight IBF #3 and former world champion Stuart Hall (18-3-2, 7 KOs) of the UK for the IBF bantamweight belt. This bout will be presented in association with Dennis Hobson Promotions.

And big-hitting light-heavyweight Ryno Liebenberg (16-0, 11 KOs) of South Africa, ranked #6 by the WBC, will put both his WBC Silver belt and his unbeaten record on the line against Canada-based Colombian Eleider Alvarez (15-0, 8 KOs), who is also undefeated and rated #11. This fight will be presented in association with Groupe Yvon Michel.

Promotions company Golden Gloves believes that Murray, ranked #1 by the WBC, is no more than a fight or two away from a crack at a major title.

Efforts to entice interim WBC champion Marco Antonio Rubio and IBF champion Sam Soliman came to naught, despite outstanding purse offers.

“They won’t be able to run forever,” said Berman. “Until then, we have to keep Martin busy. He did a fine job in his last outing, outworking European hard man Max Bursak, and I expect even better against Spada, who has mixed in excellent company and has far more experience. He knows that beating Martin is a shortcut to the top.”

Budler blew the lid off the Casino de Monte-Carlo in his last outing, knocking out 60-fight veteran Pigmy Kokietgym, and will hope to do the same against Zhong, who until recently held the WBC title.

“The websites and boxing magazines that count have me as the number one in the division and that’s what matters,” said Budler. “I can’t help it if the other champions don’t want to fight me. For now, I have a job to do against Zhong. I loved fighting in Monte Carlo last time. I’ll train just as hard and expect to be rewarded on the night.”

Caballero has cut a swathe through the bantamweight division, most recently travelling to Koheo Oba’s Japanese backyard to cut him down in eight rounds in a title eliminator.

It means former champion Hall will have to be at his very best if he intends to regain honours.

“It’s a fight that would ordinarily top the bill,” said Berman. “Caballero might start favourite, but I’ve seen enough of Hall to expect that he will give Caballero a massive challenge. At 34, this could be his final big opportunity.”

Meanwhile, Liebenberg and Alvarez will bring together two contrasting styles – the fighter against the boxer. Both are unbeaten and chasing down a single goal: becoming world champion.

Alvarez has become hot property in Canada, where he is based, while Liebenberg is hot off the best victory of his career, having beaten Denis Grachev at the weekend.

Berman says that the winner will be in line for a crack against WBC champion Adonis Stevenson.

Known as one of the most exclusive vacation destinations in the world and situated on the Mediterranean Sea in South West Europe, Monaco attracts millions of visitors each year. The Casino de Monte-Carlo, owned and operated by the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, is the premiere casino destination in Europe. The Casino de Monte-Carlo continues to attract some of the wealthiest and most well-known celebrities and aristocrats throughout the world.

LONDON (June 21) – British middleweight ace Martin Murray is hoping to follow in the footsteps of four-time world champion Carl Froch.

The St Helens star battles Ukrainian Max Bursak in Monte Carlo tonight, live on BoxNation, and has told the channel he is hoping to emulate the formidable Nottingham assassin.

Prior to Froch’s stardom on British shores he was often on the road as he looked to make his name by taking on the super-middleweights very best, a path which is becoming a familiar one for the 31-year-old Murray who has fought abroad in three of his last four fights.

“[Fighting outside of the UK] was Froch’s path and it’s looking like this is my path too. Everyone has their own path and I’m taking it as a positive, I’m flying all over the world and it’s a great pleasure doing something that I love,” said Murray.

“It’s my journey and I’m loving it but the idea would be to come home as a world champion, like Froch, and sell out venues and arenas – that would be great. However, I’m under no illusions that that is what’s going to happen.

“All I can do is keep working my hardest, get my hands on a world title and hope that does eventually happen. But sometimes people don’t get what they deserve so all I can do is keep working hard and hopefully things will work out the right way,” he said.

The sturdy 160-pounder looked like he may have claimed his first world title last year when he took on Argentine hero Sergio Martinez for his WBC middleweight crown.

However, despite knocking down Martinez and finishing strongly, the judges ruled in favour of the hometown man who kept his belt in front of a hostile Buenos Aires crowd.

Murray’s gallant display proved that he was more than a match for the world’s best middleweights, however, with his career expected to flourish, a split with Hatton Promotions saw him sidelined without a fight for seven frustrating months.

“I was buzzing in the gym and put the [Martinez] fight behind me and took it as a learning curve. I couldn’t wait to get back fighting and pushing on from there but seven months later it was horrendous,” Murray told BoxNation.

“I was buzzing right after [the Martinez fight] and kept myself motivated for months but eventually got frustrated with everything that went on, with the fights that were happening and then weren’t happening and all that stuff.

“By the time I fought in December I hadn’t recovered from a virus so I was still a bit run down. Towards the end I got fed up with things that happened. I’m a firm believer that if you work hard things will happen, that’s how I motivated myself.

“But they didn’t [happen] and I was a little bit sad and kind of lost the love for boxing coming off the high of the Martinez fight. I’ve got a great team around me now and just loving boxing at the minute and am looking forward to this fight,” he said.

Murray, who has accumulated a record of 27 wins with one loss and one draw – that being against the then WBA Super middleweight world champion Felix Sturm in 2011 in Germany – is convinced that he will eventually achieve his dream of becoming a world champion.

His fight with Bursak this Saturday night represents a stepping stone for him as he looks to put right two blemishes on his record that he believes were unwarranted.

“I don’t care what anyone says, the two losses on my record none of them were convincing. I’ve said the Sturm fight the decision was a draw but the Martinez fight I thought I won it,” he said.

“I’ve mixed it with two of the best middleweights over the past couple of years so I know I’m up there at the elite level and that I will eventually become a world champion and get my hands on the belt – I just need to keep working hard starting this weekend,” Murray said.

Murray’s clash is followed by a mammoth Golden Boy Promotions bill later that night with Robert Guerrero making his ring return against Japanese banger Yoshihiro Kamegai, rising stars Gary Russell Jr and Vasyl Lomachenko battling for the vacant WBO featherweight world title and Devon Alexander taking on Jesus Soto Karass in a ten round contest.

Murray vs. Bursak/Guerrero vs. Kamegai is live on BoxNation (Sky 437/490HD & Virgin 546) this Saturday night. Visit www.boxnation.com to subscribe.

-Ends-

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Monte Carlo, June 18 – The boxers at the “KO at the Casino” bill in Monte Carlo came face to face for the first time this afternoon at the glittering casino venue ahead of Saturday’s showdown.

All eight fighters were on hand for what promoter Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves called “a historic event”.

The tournament is headlined by Martin Murray’s WBC silver middleweight bout against Max Bursak of Ukraine.

It is Murray’s first fight in the principality and Bursak’s third, having previously both own and lost in Monaco.

“I’ve had some good days here, some bad,” said a philosophical Bursak, who remarked that he had done tremendous work in the gym and in the mountains in preparation for Saturday.

Refusing to dwell on past ill fortune in fights against world champions Felix Sturm and Sergio Martinez, Murray said that he wanted to produce a fight that reflected what excellent condition he is in.

“We are both in great shape, but I’m a level above Bursak and I will show that.”

The temperature was turned up when Berman said that this fight was essentially an eliminator for the world title, not least because, he says, WBC champion Miguel Cotto is said to be contemplating a return to junior-middleweight. He has also reached out to IBF champion Sam Soliman.

If the Murray-Bursak fight offers a fair degree of intrigue, the WBA/IBO minimumweight title fight between South Africa’s Hekkie Budler and Thailand’s Pygmy Kokietgym pits two of the best little men of boxing against one another.

Budler has grown in stature in the past 12 months and enjoys international recognition as the best fighter at the weight, a status he hopes to underscore on Saturday.

Said manager-trainer Colin Nathan: “Hekkie almost has an angelic face, but wait until Saturday. You will see an awesome, devastating performance from the number one in the world.”

Meanwhile, the cruiserweight fight between Mateusz Masternak of Poland and Youri Kalenga of the DRC via France could well be the most explosive of the night. Both look in terrific condition and bring high KO percentages to the match-up.

Their mutual respect was evident with the Pole crediting Kalenga with good power.

“He’s really strong, a tough puncher with a big left hook. But Saturday will be my day.”

Speaking on behalf of his boxer, manager Gary Hyde said that the value of Kalenga’s first ever training camp would be well evident at the weekend.

“He’s never had the benefit of a proper camp before – and he’s still been winning. He’s been devastating in sparring. He broke one Irish guy’s jaw and damaged another’s ear drum. I expect he’ll do some serious damage come Saturday.”

Berman enthused about the quality of talent on show and praised Monte Carlo for endorsing big-time boxing. The venue, built in 1910, is more used to attracting the high rollers, but casino bosses said they wanted to open it up to a wider audience with boxing the perfect vehicle to do so.

The tournament will be opened by South African Johnny Muller against Doudou Ngumbu, of the DRC, in a light-heavyweight clash

Known as one of the most exclusive vacation destinations in the world and situated on the Mediterranean Sea in South West Europe, Monaco attracts millions of visitors each year. The Monte Carlo Casino, owned and operated by the Société des bains de mer de Monaco, it is the premiere casino destination in Europe. The Monte Carlo Casino continues to attract some of the wealthiest and most well-known celebrities and aristocrats throughout the world.

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Johannesburg, June 10 – Rodney Berman has contacted IBF middleweight champion Sam Soliman’s camp about potentially matching him with highly-rated Martin Murray in Monte Carlo in October.

He says he has made a “substantial offer” to the Australian, who beat Felix Sturm for the title last month.

Murray fights Max Bursak for the WBC Silver belt in Monaco next weekend, but plans are already afoot to land a bigger prize later this year.

“The middleweight division is very fluid right now and Martin is a big part of that,” said the Golden Gloves promoter in South Africa. “He’s proven himself in major fights and he has huge pulling power.”

WBC champion Miguel Cotto is the hot man of the division after his dominant performance against Sergio Martinez last weekend, but Berman believes he will opt for more established names who would be big draws in New York or Las Vegas.

As for WBA Super champion Gennady Golovkin, Golden Gloves has promoted him a number of times in Monte Carlo, but he has a fight lined up against Daniel Geale next month. Julio Cesar Chavez jnr, Berman speculates, is a likely foe down the line for a potential superfight.

Berman is pursuing Soliman, reasoning that, at age 40, the Australian can’t afford to sit on the sidelines. Besides, the other champions aren’t queuing up to fight him.

The South African promoter will also be keeping a close eye on the August 9 fight in New York between Jarrod Fletcher and Daniel Jacobs for the WBA’s regular middleweight belt. Berman promoted Fletcher’s most recent fight (against Bursak).

“I would be prepared to offer the winner a deal for an October 21 bout against Murray,” said a bullish Berman.

Murray is well placed for an assault on the world title after two desperately close attempts, losing a controversial decision to Martinez in Argentina and drawing with Sturm in Germany.

He is rated number four by the World Boxing Council and effectively number one by the International Boxing Federation, which has the first two positions vacant.

It goes without saying that Murray must first beat Bursak to set the wheels in motion for the planned October extravaganza.

LONDON (June 6) – British middleweight Martin Murray says he has unfinished business with WBC champion Sergio Martinez as he eyes a rematch with the sensational Argentine.

The balletic Buenos Aires banger takes on Puerto Rican legend Miguel Cotto this Saturday night in a megafight at New York’s historic Madison Square Garden, live and exclusive on BoxNation.

And, 31-year-old Murray, who ran the slick southpaw Martinez very close last year, losing somewhat contentiously on points in front of a hostile Argentine crowd, believes ‘Maravilla’ will prove too big for Cotto, who is moving up from light-middleweight.

“I think Martinez is going to win. I’ve seen them at the press conference beside each other and Martinez looks a lot bigger. I don’t know if it was the camera angle or what but Martinez just seemed a lot bigger to me,” Murray told BoxNation.

“When I fought Martinez there was a size difference between me and him, so he’s not really the biggest, but I just don’t think Cotto is big enough for middleweight. Martinez is fast and he punches hard and I think he’s going to outwork Cotto.

“I know Cotto himself will be bringing up a lot of qualities but I feel that Martinez is going to beat him,” he said.

However, the St Helens pugilist doesn’t believe that Martinez is unbeatable, and with respected trainer Freddie Roach now in Cotto’s camp he will have a man in his corner who may be able to execute the perfect strategy for the fight.

“Anyone who gets their tactics or gameplan right will beat Martinez. If you make him fall short with his punches everytime he comes in, and don’t stand and be a target for him – those are the right tactics for him,” Murray said.

“That’s the tactics I used, and no doubt Freddie Roach would have been watching his last fight which was against me and working on those types of tactics because he’s a great trainer.

“So having Freddie Roach will be a big advantage for Cotto. However, tactics aside I just think Martinez will come out victorious on the night,” he said.

Murray is currently preparing for his next outing on June 21st when he faces Ukrainian Max Bursak in Monaco, another fight you can see live on BoxNation.

The bout will be for the vacant WBC Silver middleweight title, which could set up a fight with the victor of Martinez and Cotto, something which excites Murray.

“I’ve got to get past my next fight, so obviously I don’t want to look too far ahead. In an ideal world I win my fight, put in a good performance, and that pushes me forward to a fight with the winner of those two, which I would take all day long. My next fight is for the WBC Silver title so maybe that might help. I just leave it to my team but hopefully we can get the winner,” he said.

There is no doubt in Murray’s mind who he would prefer to fight, with the steely middleweight keen to put right the blemishes on his record 29-1-1 record.

“I would fight Cotto and would love to share the ring with him, but I’ve got unfinished business with Martinez. There are two blemishes on my record that I want to put right – Sturm and Martinez,” he said

“I would love a rematch with Martinez, but loving it and getting it are two totally different things. I’m not to sure I would get it but I would like the chance to right the wrongs on my record. I want the rematch with Martinez and hopefully we can get it made,” said Murray.

Martinez vs. Cotto is live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky 437/490HD & Virgin 546) this Saturday night at 2am. Visit www.boxnation.com to subscribe.

And to celebrate a super stacked summer schedule, this week BoxNation are waiving the £8 registration fee for all Sky subscribers. Just use offer code ‘HEAVYWEIGHT2’* when subscribing at www.boxnation.com to make sure you don’t miss out.

-Ends-

About BoxNation
BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated subscription boxing channel. For £12* a month and no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.

BoxNation is proud to support Fight for Peace, a charity that uses boxing and martial arts combined with education and personal development to realise the potential of young people in communities that suffer from crime and violence. Buy LUTA (www.luta.co.uk) clothing and support Fight for Peace.

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Khan vs Diaz and Mayweather vs Alvarez.

The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Virgin (Ch.546), online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android. BoxNation is also available in high definition on Sky (Ch. 490), at no extra cost to Sky TV subscribers, providing they are already HD enabled.

BoxNation is also available to commercial premises (inc. pubs, clubs and casino’s) in the UK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

*Free Registration Offer: Free registration for subscribers joining with offer code: HEAVYWEIGHT2 online. Offer is valid until midnight on Sunday 8th June and available to Sky TV customers only. Terms and conditions apply.

LONDON (June 4) – World champion Sergio Martinez believes the only reason Miguel Cotto has chosen to fight him is because he thinks he is over the hill.

The WBC middleweight kingpin puts his title on the line against the Puerto Rican legend at Madison Square Garden in New York, live on BoxNation this Saturday night, with Martinez of the belief that Cotto only took the fight because he believes the Argentine is past his best.

Cotto is attempting to make history by becoming his nation’s first four-weight world champion when he makes the move up to the 160 pound division, but Martinez, who contentiously overcame Britain’s Martin Murray in his last outing, says he is in for a rude awakening.

“Miguel Cotto believes that I am ripe for the picking and that my age has finally caught up with me,” said Martinez. “What he doesn’t realise is that for the Martin Murray fight, I had many injuries going into the fight. I did not want to postpone the event because it was always a dream of mine to defend my title in Argentina so we as a team decided to go forward with the fight with Martin Murray.

“I still came out victorious in that fight but Miguel Cotto thinks I’m on the decline, which is the only reason I believe he chose to face me now,” he said.

‘Maravilla’ Martinez burst onto the elite scene with a stunning second round knockout over the courageous Paul Williams in their rematch back in 2010, after having captured the WBC and WBO middleweight belts against the division’s then number one fighter in Kelly Pavlik.

Having gone onto to establish himself as one of the very best pound-for-pound, Martinez is adamant that Cotto will not hear the final bell when the pair clash in front of a packed house.

“I am extremely motivated for this fight with Cotto. Not just because I don’t necessarily care for Miguel Cotto, but I want to prove him wrong in thinking that I’m not an elite fighter,” said Martinez.

“Miguel Cotto is a good fighter and a future hall of famer, but he will not become the world middleweight champion by defeating me. The only way I see this fight ending is with Miguel Cotto being knocked out. I cannot see the fight going past nine rounds,” he said.

With Cotto having started out at light-welterweight, Martinez believes that size will play a decisive factor in the fight, with this bout ranking amongst one of his biggest to date.

“There is no hatred toward Miguel, we are both professionals. I am totally focused on the fight and totally focused on the task at hand, which is beating Miguel Cotto. Miguel does not have the same power at this weight as he does at 147lbs,” Martinez said.

“I am the power-puncher out of the two of us. The most important factor in this fight, though, is the level of intelligence that I will use on Saturday. I am not worried about the judges being swayed in this bout or any questionable decisions; because there is no way that this fight is going the distance.

“This fight is right up there with Paul Williams and Kelly Pavlik as one of the most important of my career,” he said.

Fighting at the iconic Madison Square Garden has become commonplace for Cotto, who has only lost once there in eight occasions, and enjoyed a partisan crowd for most outings.

But, the slick southpaw Martinez is looking to follow in the footsteps of Argentine idols, heavyweight Oscar Bonavena and former undisputed middleweight champion Carlos Monzon, by taking over the grandest of amphitheatres.

“To fight at Madison Square Garden where great Argentinean boxers fought like Oscar Bonavena and Carlos Monzon is the greatest honour that any Argentinean boxer could possibly have,” he said.

“The Argentinean community in New York has always been very supportive of me, and I expect an incredible atmosphere similar to a world cup soccer match.

“Miguel Cotto says Madison Square Garden is his home, but come June 7th he will be evicted and I will prove that I am one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world,” said a confident Martinez.

Martinez vs. Cotto is live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky 437/490HD & Virgin 546) this Saturday night at 2am. Visit www.boxnation.com to subscribe.

And to celebrate a super stacked summer schedule, this week BoxNation are waiving the £8 registration fee for all Sky subscribers. Just use offer code ‘HEAVYWEIGHT2’* when subscribing at www.boxnation.com to make sure you don’t miss out.

-Ends-

About BoxNation
BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated subscription boxing channel. For £12* a month and no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.

BoxNation is proud to support Fight for Peace, a charity that uses boxing and martial arts combined with education and personal development to realise the potential of young people in communities that suffer from crime and violence. Buy LUTA (www.luta.co.uk) clothing and support Fight for Peace.

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Khan vs Diaz and Mayweather vs Alvarez.

The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Virgin (Ch.546), online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android. BoxNation is also available in high definition on Sky (Ch. 490), at no extra cost to Sky TV subscribers, providing they are already HD enabled.

BoxNation is also available to commercial premises (inc. pubs, clubs and casino’s) in the UK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

*Free Registration Offer: Free registration for subscribers joining with offer code: HEAVYWEIGHT2 online. Offer is valid until midnight on Sunday 8th June and available to Sky TV customers only. Terms and conditions apply.

LONDON (June 3) – British world title hopeful Martin Murray will be back in action, live and exclusive on BoxNation, when he takes on Max Bursak for the vacant WBC Silver middleweight title on June 21st from Monte Carlo.

The 30-year-old ace, who is ranked amongst the best 160 pounders around, returns to the ‘Channel of Champions’ for the first time since his highly controversial loss to reigning WBC middleweight champion Sergio Martinez.

The St Helens man travelled to the hostile and thunder hit Buenos Aires last year, when he fought in front of a crowd of 40,000 at the Estadio José Amalfitani, home to Argentine football club Velez Sarsfield.

Twice decking Martinez, with only one being ruled an official knockdown, Murray out hustled his Argentine foe before succumbing to the judges’ scorecards in which he lost a unanimous decision.

He bounced back following the contentious decision with wins over Sergey Khomitsky before overcoming Ishmael Tetteh in April, and has promised fireworks when he meets Bursak, who has a record of 29 wins in his 32 fights with only two defeats.

“Training is going brilliant, I’m feeling really well, I’m focused and I’m up for the fight. I can’t wait to get in the ring. It’s great to fight on BoxNation again and know that all the fans back home can tune in and watch me fight. I’m going to put on a great performance and make it a night not to be missed,” said Murray.

Murray was ringside when the Ukrainian last fought and knows he’ll need to be at his very best to not only win but look impressive, with a glittering performance putting him in line for the victor of Martinez’s and Miguel Cotto’s crunch clash this weekend, also live and exclusive on BoxNation.

“I watched Bursak in February when he fought in Monte Carlo against Jarrod Fletcher and I thought he was unlucky not to get the decision. He’s a tough fighter and you don’t have to go looking for him, he’s just there,” Murray said.

“He’s a real brawler and what he lacks in skill he makes up for in toughness and experience. We’ve both had nearly 10 weeks notice for this fight so I know he’ll be up for it and I’m expecting him to be in the best shape he’s ever been,” he said.

Murray joins a sizzling summer lineup on BoxNation which kicks-off this weekend with Martinez-Cotto, plus Stuart Hall defending his world title against Paul Butler; with heavyweight hitman David Price also back on a monster night of action.

To subscribe to BoxNation (Sky 437/490HD & Virgin 546) for only £12 a month please visit www.boxnation.com.

-Ends-

About BoxNation
BoxNation, the Channel of Champions and proud partner of Rainham Steel, is the UK’s first dedicated subscription boxing channel. For £12* a month and no minimum term customers can enjoy great value live and exclusive fights, classic fight footage, magazine shows and interviews with current and former fighters.

BoxNation is proud to support Fight for Peace, a charity that uses boxing and martial arts combined with education and personal development to realise the potential of young people in communities that suffer from crime and violence. Buy LUTA (www.luta.co.uk) clothing and support Fight for Peace.

Previous highlights have included Haye vs Chisora, Khan vs Diaz and Mayweather vs Alvarez.

The channel is available on Sky (Ch.437), Virgin (Ch.546), online at Livesport.tv and via iPhone, iPad or Android. BoxNation is also available in high definition on Sky (Ch. 490), at no extra cost to Sky TV subscribers, providing they are already HD enabled.

BoxNation is also available to commercial premises (inc. pubs, clubs and casino’s) in the UK and Ireland, for more information on a commercial subscription please call 0844 842 7700.

For more information visit www.boxnation.com

England’s Martin Murray won’t be attending this weekend’s superfight in London – he’s too busy focusing on preparation for his June 21 fight that tops the Golden Gloves “KO at the Casino” tournament in Monte Carlo.

The smooth-hitting middleweight (27-1-1, 12 KOs) meets Max Bursak (29-2-1, 12 KOs) of the Ukraine in a fight for the WBC Silver title. With Murray’s ambitions squarely on a touted world championship fight in November, he knows anything but a convincing victory won’t be good enough.

Speaking from his home in St Helens, in the north of England, Murray said he had taken just a week off since his return from South Africa five weeks ago. While there, he produced a routine sixth-round stoppage of Ghana’s Ishmael Tetteh in a “keep-busy” fight.

“I’m at a high level of fitness and my nutrition is spot-on. I’ve done plenty of work and am on track with just a few weeks to go. Sparring has been great . . . I can’t wait to get out there.”

Having been present in Monte Carlo for Bursak’s last fight, a decision loss to WBA No 2 Jarrod Fletcher in February, Murray has a good idea of what to expect. More recently he’s been studying DVD’s of the European champion.

“There’s stuff you can work on, but what you see is what you get. He’s tough, in your face, a brawler. But I’ll be ready for him, I’ll have too much skill.”

After the setback of controversially losing to WBC champion Sergio Martinez last April, Murray says his focus has solidly been on rebuilding. His last fight, against Tetteh, enabled him to “shake the cobwebs off” and this match-up, he hopes, will propel him into the championship mix again.

The middleweight division is very fluid with major fights coming up for WBC champion Martinez (against Miguel Cotto) and WBA champion Gennady Golovkin, all of whom are on Murray’s radar.

While he won’t be in London to watch Carl Froch do battle again with George Groves, he says he won’t miss it for the world and will be watching on television.

“I’d be there, except it will mess with my preparation. I expect Frochie to win. He’s been in a lot of wars and the last fight was his worst performance. But I think he’s still got a big fight in him and will be well up for it. He’ll be looking to put it straight. I reckon it will be a pretty close fight.”

Murray’s own performance will come under scrutiny in three weeks’ time. His challenge for the Silver title takes him closer to all the big names in the division. It’s up to him just how much he wants to impress them.

Known as one of the most exclusive vacation destinations in the world and situated on the Mediterranean Sea in South West Europe, Monaco attracts millions of visitors each year. The Monte Carlo Casino, owned and operated by the Société des bains de mer de Monaco, it is the premiere casino destination in Europe. The Monte Carlo Casino continues to attract some of the wealthiest and most well-known celebrities and aristocrats throughout the world.

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World-ranked Martin Murray’s June 21 middleweight bout against Max Bursak in Monte Carlo has been sanctioned by the WBC for the vacant Silver belt.

This is in recognition of Murray’s standing among the world’s elite middleweights and follows former holder Patrick Nielsen opting to fight for the WBA Interim title next month. Murray is rated #4 by the World Boxing Council.

The Briton heads the “KO at the Casino” tournament in Monaco, a first class bill that now also includes unbeaten former IBO super-middleweight champion Tommy Oosthuizen (22-0-2, 13 KOs) of South Africa.

“This is a giant step towards securing Martin a crack at the world title,” said Berman from his base in Johannesburg. “Hopefully the smoke clears after the Sergio Martinez –Miguel Cotto WBC championship fight next month and Martin comes into the reckoning. He’s been more than patient and is one of the few fighters with a legitimate chance of toppling any of the champions.”

Oosthuizen, meanwhile, will make his light-heavyweight debut against former African champion Doudou Ngumbu (31-5, 11 KOs) of the DRC, who is based in France.

Southpaw Oosthuizen hasn’t fought since November, having endured a troubled few months in which he broke from his promoter (and later reconciled) and also had a stint in rehabilitation. Fortunately he is back in the gym and returned to full fitness, hoping to make an impact on the exciting light-heavyweight division.

In another development, Golden Gloves is on the verge of announcing an exciting replacement fight following Junior Makabu reneging on his contract and thus forfeiting his place on the Monte Carlo bill. The cruiserweight abruptly walked out on Golden Gloves last week.

“This has now become a legal matter,” said Berman.

Known as one of the most exclusive vacation destinations in the world and situated on the Mediterranean Sea in South West Europe, Monaco attracts millions of visitors each year. The Monte Carlo Casino, owned and operated by the Société des bains de mer de Monaco, it is the premiere casino destination in Europe. The Monte Carlo Casino continues to attract some of the wealthiest and most well-known celebrities and aristocrats throughout the world.

Elite middleweight boxer Martin Murray, the pride of St Helens, England will make his Monte Carlo debut on June 21, topping the “KO at the Casino” tournament against world-rated Max Bursak of Ukraine in an international 10-rounder.
It will be Murray’s second fight under the banner of South Africa’s Golden Gloves. On Wednesday night he stopped Ishmael Tetteh in seven rounds in South Africa.

It will be Bursak’s third outing in the principality, having recorded a win and a loss in recent months.
Murray, ranked number four in the WBC and number six in the IBF, has twice fought for the world title, earning a highly controversial draw with Felix Sturm in 2011 and dropping a narrow decision to hometown fighter Sergio Martinez of Argentina a year ago. The Bursak fight is Murray’s launch pad for a major November extravaganza, also in Monaco.
Murray (27-1-1, 12 KOs) is a former British and Commonwealth champion while Bursak (29-2-1, 12 KOs) has variously held youth and inter-continental belts. He also fought for the WBO title in 2012.
On the triple-header undercard, South Africa’s Hekkie Budler, the WBA and IBO minimumweight champion, will defend his belts against Thailand’s Pigmy Muangchaiyaphum (Kokietgym), the 60-bout veteran ranked number eight in the WBA and number five in the WBC. Budler (25-1, 8 KOs) is on a hot streak, having knocked out Karluis Diaz and Hugo Verchelli in recent months. This followed a career-best defeat of former world champion Nkosinathi Joyi in 2013. Moreover, he is universally considered the number one in his division.
Muangchaiyaphum (52-6-2, 22 KOs) has won numerous Asian championship titles and is best known for giving then-WBA champion Kwanthai Sithmorseng a brutal challenge in 2010, dropping a split decision.
Also on the undercard, big-hitting Junior Makabu, number two cruiserweight in the WBA and WBC, will face Poland’s highly regarded Mateusz “The Master” Masternak, who enjoys ratings in the three major world organisations – WBA (No 6), WBC (No 12) and IBF (No 9). They will contest the WBA’s Interim cruiserweight title.
The French-speaking Makabu (16-1, 15 KOs), from the Democratic Republic of Congo but based in South Africa, is a crowd favourite in Monte Carlo, having fought there three times successfully in the past 13 months.
Masternak (32-1, 23 KOs) presents arguably his toughest assignment to date. Masternak has dominated the European fight scene and is a former holder of the WBC’s Youth belt.
Rodney Berman, CEO of Golden Gloves, said he was particularly thrilled at being behind Murray’s march to a world title. “This is just the first step. He is strategically placed to go on to big things in 2014. Bursak is as tough as they come, but Murray has proven himself in the biggest fights of all.”
Said Murray: “Bursak is a tough lad, but I know I’m going to win. I can’t afford to slip up now. I’ll treat all my fights like title fights. There will be no under-estimating from me, not when I’m in my prime.”
Manager Andrew Mikhail, who accompanied Murray to Monte Carlo for Bursak’s last outing there in February, said they both believed he had beaten Jarrod Fletcher of Australia.
“Even so, Martin is a level above Bursak. It’s still a high-risk fight because the stakes are so high at this level. Having done the deal with Golden Gloves, Martin now has focus and direction. He’s so focused on winning the world title I can’t see Bursak – or anyone else – standing in his way.”
Speaking from Poland, where he is based, Masternak said it was a dream come true to fight for the WBA title.
“I will do everything I can to win, as opportunities like this don’t come around every day. Makabu is a tough boxer with a strong punch and solid technique but there are no easy fights at this level. I am 100% focused and will make sure I am in the best shape of my career,” said the former European and WBC International Silver champion.

“Makabu may hit hard, but he is no Mike Tyson. My coach PiotrWilczewski and I have already worked out a good strategy. I will know exactly what I need to do, round by round, in order to win and bring the title back to Poland with me.”

Masternak suffered his only career loss in October 2013 to GrigoryDrozd. He has since bounced back with wins over Sandro Siproshvili and StjepanVugdelija.

Former two-time world welterweight title challenger Harold Volbrecht, who now trains Makabu, said his boxer needed high-quality fights like this one.

“Junior thrives under pressure and Masternak will bring plenty. We’ve done our homework and what we see is a tough, rugged fighter, but one we believe Junior can exploit. He has a good chin and will be there to be hit. I’m not sure he has the ability to withstand Junior’s power, but he looks well-equipped to make it a hard fight.”

June 21 will mark just Budler’s third fight outside South Africa, but manager-trainer Colin Nathan is nonplussed. “If you’re the best in your division, it’s important to get out of your comfort zone. Hekkie is now at the level where he will fight anywhere. We have big respect for Pigmy – he has a tremendous record – but if we want international recognition these are the guys who must be beaten. Pigmy will bring it hard, but I can’t see him having the game to beat a much younger and more determined fighter than Hekkie.”

Known as one of the most exclusive vacation destinations in the world and situated on the Mediterranean Sea in South West Europe, Monaco attracts millions of visitors each year. The Monte Carlo Casino, owned and operated by the Société des bains de mer de Monaco, it is the premiere casino destination in Europe. The Monte Carlo Casino continues to attract some of the wealthiest and most well-known celebrities and aristocrats throughout the world.