UK Boxing: John Murray vs Karim El Ouzaghari

Manchester fight ace John Murray says he will enjoy defending his European lightweight title on Kevin Mitchell’s turf this Saturday night. Murray was due to meet Mitchell on April 2 at Wembley Arena, but the fight fell through – even though Murray was desperate for it go ahead. Now the unbeaten Mancunian – who has the longest unbeaten record in British boxing – will put his belt on the line for a second time against tough Spanish champion Karim El Ouzaghari at the York Hall, live on Sky Sports 1HD. And the famous East End venue is in the heart of Mitchell’s manor..

“With the top performance I’m going to put on, maube I’ll steal a few fans from Mitchell!” said Murray.

“It should have been Kevin in the opposite corner on Saturday night and it’s a real shame we didn’t get it on, but rest assured, it wasn’t because I didn’t want it,”

“I’m in Mitchell’s backyard so I hope he comes out from his local Pie ‘n Mash shop and sees me in action to see what he’s missing out on,”

“I’m really looking forward to coming down to the York Hall as I haven’t boxed there for five years and showing the London fans what I can do,”

“After they have seen me they will know that I’m the real deal and that I’m the next big thing in British boxing,”

“I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself, though, because I have a very dangerous opponent to deal with on Saturday night.

Murray headlines a top fight card called “Here’s Johnny!” announcing his arrival in London. The card also features Hatfield middleweight Billy Joe Saunders, Cromer featherweight Ryan Walsh, Canning Town super-featherweight Billy Morgan, Penge welterweight Bradley Skeete and Slough welterweight George Michael Carmen.

Remining tickets are available from the Frank Warren Promotions Box Office on 01992 550 888 or online at www.frankwarren.tv

MURRAY WARY OF OUZAGHARI’S DANGER PUNCH

European Lightweight Champion John Murray says that his challenger Karim El Ouzaghari’s left hook will be the danger weapon this Saturday night. Manchester star Murray makes his big return to London for the first time in over four years to headline the York Hall, Bethnal Green, with the second defence of his title, live and exclusive on Sky Sports 1HD. The former British Champion hasn’t seen much of the tough Spaniard, but the few clips he has seen of him on Youtube has got him concerned

“The fighters that you can’t find any footage of are the ones you need to worry about and the little that we did find on Youtube made him out to be a devastating puncher especially with the left hook,” said Murray.

“There is one fight where he flattens the guy with it and me and my trainer Joe Gallagher just looked at each other,”

“We’ve been working on stuff in the gym to counter it and we’re confident that it won’t cause us a problem, but you never know when you get in that ring and the bell goes,”

“I’ve trained harder than ever for this fight and I’m not taking anything for granted with this guy. He’s going to up my game and you’ll see the best of John Murray.”

Murray, 26, is expecting a big reception in the capital for his first fight under new promoter Frank Warren and the show is being billed as “Here’s Johnny” from the horror movie The Shining starring Jack Nicholson.

Ranked number two by the WBC and six by Ring Magazine, Murray is looking to put on a devastating performance ahead of a potential world title shot later this year.

He added, “A lot is riding on this fight and I need to put on a top performance to keep the world title shot in line,”

“I’m live on Sky Sports and the York Hall will be packed out so I’m determined to give the fans what they want and that’s action with a knockout ending.”

Remining tickets are available from the Frank Warren Promotions Box Office on 01992 550 888 or online at www.frankwarren.tv