Murray gets Euro shot in Manchester
Unbeaten British lightweight champion and European mandatory challenger John Murray will get his shot at the European title against champion and WBC number three ranked Anthony Mezaache of France early in 2010. The event will take place in Manchester after Hennessy Sports and R2 Image and Events came to an agreement for the event to be promoted by Hennessy Sports which in turn cancelled Tuesday’s scheduled purse bid.
Mick Hennessy said: “This is a great fight of which the winner will be in pole position to fight for a major world title in 2010. Both Bernard Roos (R2 Image & Events) and I will talk to the WBC to see if the fight could also be a WBC final eliminator. John is proving himself to be one of the best and most exciting lightweights in world boxing. Anthony Mezaache has proved himself to be an excellent and very determined European champion and I believe with John Murray’s relentless all action style that this is going to be a very explosive contest.
“I would like to thank Bernard Roos for stepping up to the plate to make this fight happen on behalf of Anthony Mezaache. This will be Bernard’s and Anthony’s second trip to the UK this year as they were both here in February when Anthony beat then European champ Jon Thaxton on a unanimous points decision to win the EBU title”
2009 has been a successful year for John after stopping current Commonwealth champion Lee McAllister in eight rounds back in January. He also took out British and Commonwealth challenger Scott Lawton inside six rounds in June and former British and European champion Jon Thaxton in explosive fashion in four rounds which was witnessed at ringside by Manchester City stars Micah Richards, Roque Santa Cruz and Vincent Kompany (presumably they wanted to see something other than a draw - Ed.).
Man City fanatic Murray now has the chance to fill the void that fellow blues supporter Ricky Hatton seems to have left in Manchester.
Mick Hennessy added, “All you have to do is look at his last three fights to see that Murray is on the road to glory, his record speaks for itself.”
Date and venue will be announced soon.
