Martin Murray signs with Matchroom and moves up to super middleweight
Martin Murray (29-2-1, 12 KOs) has signed a promotional agreement with Matchroom and will be moving up in weight to the super middleweight division.
Promoter Eddie Hearn announced on Friday the signing of the three-time world middleweight title challenger and that he will make his debut at 168 pounds on June 26 at the Echo Arena in Liverpool against an opponent to be confirmed.
The St Helens fighter challenged WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin in February in his last outing and did better than any previous challenger in extending him to 11 rounds before losing by an TKO.
In two previous world title attempts Murray lost a controversial decision to Sergio Martinez in 2013 and fought to a draw with Felix Sturm in 2011.
Murray said: "I'm delighted to sign for Matchroom and am so excited about the future. I've been in major fights all over the world against Felix Sturm in Germany, Sergio Martinez in Argentina and Golovkin in France but now I feel it's time that I had those major fights in the UK.
"I've fought the very best at middleweight and now I'm ready to do the same at 168lbs. It's a hot division and domestically can throw up some absolute wars. James DeGale did great to capture the world title and I’d love that fight later this year. George Groves is also challenging for a title and again it's a fight I’d relish."
Hearn said: "I’m delighted to welcome Martin to our team of elite fighters. Martin has proved time and again that he is one of the best middleweights in the world and now I am looking forward to building him further in the UK and being involved in some huge domestic and international fights.
"It all starts on June 26 at the Echo Arena – these are great times for British boxing and I’m so pleased I get the chance to deliver for Martin Murray."
Also on the June 26 card, cruiserweight Tony Bellew faces Lubos Suda, and, in other super middleweight bouts, Callum Smith takes on Christopher Rebrasse while Rocky Fielding fights Brian Vera.