Musgrave looking to make his mark against unbeaten Doran

British boxing returns to Bury for the first time in thirteen years this month when local hero Scott Quigg steps into the ring on his inexorable rise to championship level. However, the most exciting bout on the 29th could be when light-middleweight Tom Doran steps up in class to face ex-British Masters title challenger Jon Musgrave.

As urged on these very pages, the Hattons are making no effort to hold back the talented youngster and have put him in with a tough domestic operator who has a history of causing upsets, most notably when he defeated Kevin Hammond in March of last year, shortly before the said Hammond went on to give dynamite fisted Martin Conception hell for twenty rounds. BoxRec News caught up with Musgrave as he prepared for what he hopes will be his big night, where he comes out of the shadows and gives the newcomer all the problems he can cope with, and maybe some he can't.

Musgrave started his boxing career shortly after he left school. Speaking in a broad, Yorkshire accent he explains.

"I left school and I got a bit out of condition, I really wanted to get fit. So I went down my local club and that really helped. My amateur career lasted five years but I never had that many fight, I had twenty-two, I won half of them, work just got in the way sometimes.”

Musgrave has gone on to compile a record to compile a record of seven wins, as opposed to eight losses. His most notable wins have come against Shaun Farmer, (who he fought twice, losing one and winning the rematch) and the aforementioned Kevin Hammond. Good memories for the Barnsley man.

“Shaun Farmer gave me two good, close fights. I lost the first one by decision , but to be honest I thought I nicked it. I won the second on points, but once again he thought he had done enough. The Hammond fight was great, styles make fights, you know what I mean? I love guys who come on to me. He was tailor made for me, that was a brilliant win.”

That win earned him a shot at Alex Matvienko in a vacant British Masters title shot at light-middleweight. Matvienko has gone on to prove himself one of the better area level title holders, participating in one of the domestic fights of the year against Chester lad Omar Gumati. Musgrave never disgraced himself against his quality opponent, losing by a score of 98-93.

“That was a good performance by me. I was worried about doing the ten round distance as I had never been that far before so I held back quite a bit. He definitely won the fight but I certainly finished the fight well, I had loads left at the end, I just wished I'd done more.”

For this fight Musgrave has been given five weeks' notice. This is very rare for a man who is usually in the 'opponent's corner.' He certainly believes that this will make a difference.

“I appeared on a Hatton bill a few weeks back against Lee Edwards. To be honest I had only just got back in the gym but the money was good so I took it. This time I'm going in prepared so that should improve my performance.”

Next up he is due to face Doran. A man who many believe will end up far above area title level. Still, this is what makes this fight so fascinating. Musgrave has proven himself tough, and more than capable of winning fights against supposed 'superior' opposition. One suspects that if Doran isn't as good as many think he is he could be in for one rather tough night's work. Musgrave, however admits to knowing very little about his foe.

“I don't know a lot about him. I know he has had five fights and won the lot, but he hasn't really faced any world beaters has he? He could be brilliant, he could be average, I really don't know. This is the same as when I fought Hammond, you work it out on the night, and we saw what happened there.”

Still, there are no bombastic declarations of war or predictions of victory from this mild, mannered man. Just a focused view of what he hopes lies ahead.

“All I'm going to say is that I am going there to try my best. I want him to know that win or lose he's been in a fight, that's what I'm going to do.”

That's the way I see it. If Doran is 'the new Calzaghe' as he has been christened, then he should pass this examination, but having learned more than his previous five fights put together. If he is maybe being over-hyped then just ask Kevin Hammond what can happen when you step into the ring with a tough operator like Jon Musgrave. This I truly a mouth-watering encounter.

Musgrave too has his own career aspirations and won't be coming to lie down. He dreams of titles and great contest yet to come. He explains.

“My realistic goals, what would make me happy when I leave the sport, would be to win an area title. Failing that I would like to fight lads who really went on to do something good, I could then say I shared the ring with them.”

Doran seems set for this level of stardom. We will see just how good he is against Jon Musgrave. One thing is certain however, if Doran looks past this tough Yorkshireman, or is maybe being rushed, he is one for one rough night. We can all be assured of that.