Andy Murray will be looking to record another win in London on July 18th when he takes to the ring at the York Hall in Bethnal Green. However tennis fans need not fear, because this Andy Murray is intent on making his name inside the ring and not on the tennis court. Unbeaten in 15 professional bouts Cavan’s Andy Murray is one of Irish boxing’s brightest hopes and currently holds the European Union Lightweight title. The 26-year-old will go in search of win number 16 at the York Hall with the British Light Heavyweight title clash between Danny McIntosh and Nathan Cleverly topping the bill..
The Hennessy Sports event is live on ITV4 with Murray set to meet Sheffield’s Adam “The Outlaw” Kelly in an undercard bout. Although he’s now training out of John Breen’s successful Belfast gym Murray is no stranger to London.
“I was based in England for the first couple of years of my pro career and six of my first eight pro fights were in London,” explained Murray. “I’m looking forward to fighting there again and especially at the York Hall because it’s a great venue and has a great tradition.”
Murray’s last appearance came at The O2 in Dublin in March on the undercard of Bernard Dunne’s WBA World Super Bantamweight title win. Dunne wasn’t the only Irishman to collect a belt on the night with Murray adding the European Union title to Irish titles won at lightweight and light welterweight.
“The atmosphere that night was something else and Bernard winning the world title has been a real lift for Irish boxing,” said Murray. “He’s proved to the other Irish pro’s that if you put in the work and persevere the results will come your way. Hopefully there will be plenty more nights like that over the next few years and I hope to be part of them.”
Murray’s points win over Spanish champion Daniel Rasilla in Dublin was his first time to complete the 12 round championship distance and he feels that the experience will stand to him. “I was trying to pace myself and I actually felt I still had plenty left in the tank at the finish. It was a good learning experience and it’s a good psychological barrier to cross for any pro. I’m still improving and I’m in the perfect gym to do it in.
“Hopefully I can use the European Union title as a stepping stone to the full European title but that’s all a bit further down the road. The only thing I’m concentrating on now is this fight at the York Hall and getting a good win there.”
A clash of unbeaten fighters tops the bill at the York Hall on July 18th with Danny McIntosh and Nathan Cleverly squaring off for the British Light Heavyweight title. The undercard features former British and European Champion Jon Thaxton and unbeaten Heavyweight sensation Tyson Fury’s seventh professional outing.
Hot prospects Steve O’Meara, Lee Purdy, Dwayne Lewis, Bobby Ward and Del Rogers are also in action on a packed night of championship boxing that also features recent Big Brother evictee Angel McKenzie in her 18th pro fight. Tickets (£35 Unreserved and £70 Ringside) are available from the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 4402 or via www.ticketline.co.uk.
Haskins, Burkinshaw In British Title Clash Friday
The Seaburn Centre in Sunderland, England plays host to another sterling fight card from Frank Maloney Promotions this Friday, July 10, headlined by a British super flyweight title clash.
Lee Haskins, 18-2 (9), puts his British super flyweight title on the line against newly minted English champion Ross Burkinshaw, 6-1-2 (4), in what is sure to be another thrilling battle of the little men.
Bristol gunner Haskins is only 25 but the shifty southpaw has already experienced winning the Commonwealth and English flyweight titles as well as challenging for the British and Commonwealth bantam belts.
Last time out Haskins won the most crucial contest of his career by outfighting rugged Andy Bell to capture the British super flyweight crown.
Haskins will again face a much taller fighter in the form of Burkinshaw, the gutty British Army soldier who will bring a large contingent of his fanatical squaddie fans to the Seaburn Centre.
22 year old Burkinshaw of Sheffield is riding a wave of confidence following his two bruising victories over gritty scouser Mike Robinson, the second of which earned “Ross The Boss” the English super flyweight belt.
Chief support will feature popular local hero and Beijing Olympic bronze medallist, Tony ‘Jaffa’ Jeffries, 2-0 (2), in his third pro outing.
Blackpool light middle Brian Rose, 12-0-1 (3), and St. Helens middleweight Martin Murray, 14-0 (5), are on the undercard, which also includes Newscastle’s fighting Dickinson brothers, John-Lewis, 3-0 (0), and Travis, 2-0 (1), among others.
Frank Maloney Promotions presents the Super Flyweight Championship of Britain between reigning titlist Lee Haskins and challenger Ross Burkinshaw on Friday, July 10, 2009 at The Seaburn Centre in Sunderland, England.
Tickets are priced £80 and £40 and are available from The Box Office on 0871 226 1508 and www.frankmaloney.com or from Phil Jeffries on 0191 564 0202.
Sky Sports will televise live on SS2 from 10PM.