Sergio Martinez Vs Martin Murray - Post-Fight Report

Proksa drops EBU title, Murray Vs Marie looking likely...



Proksa with the EBU title.

British-based middleweight prospect Grzegorz Proksa has done what was expected and relinquished the EBU middleweight title. As I said, this doesn't come as a shock as Proksa is fully occupied with his highly anticipated bout with Gennady Golovkin, which is potentially the biggest fight of his career.

 

It is now looking very likely that the EBU title will be put on the line for the fight between Martin Murray and Julien Sainte Marie (if it happens). The EBU have set a deadline of September 26th for negotiations such as purse bids and agreement to be finalised.

 

Proksa will be in the ring this Saturday night in New York where he will challenge the highly regarded Gennady Golovkin for the IBO & WBA "regular" titles.

 

Darren Barker eyeing big names for his September return!

"Dazzling" Darren Barker.

British middleweight Darren Barker is set to return to the ring in September and he is in need of an opponent.

One of the names mentioned is highly-rated middleweight prospect Grzegorz Proksa. But this can only happen if he wins his European title back in a rematch with fellow British middleweight Kerry Hope on July 7th.

"There was never any chance of me not fighting again," said Barker. You've got to find the balance when looking at my next opponent, but I'm content to carry on where I left off and obviously get back to winning ways before pushing back to the top level. It would be nice to fight Grzegorz Proksa. I wouldn't mind fighting either [Hope or Proksa], but I've got a lot of faith in Eddie Hearn and my team, so we'll wait and see what happens."

Barker against Proksa would be a great comeback fight for Barker and would provide a tough test for the former world title contender. However, there is a much bigger name that Barker is targeting. And that person is WBA world champion Felix Sturm. The German struggled against Matthew Macklin and Martin Murray and Barker reminded him that there is one other top British super-middleweight that he needs to face.

"We've had no offers from him yet," claimed Barker. "But I'd go straight out to Germany for Sturm - no problem."

This would be a much better fight for Barker but personally, I think he should have a few less difficult fights to warm himself up again and then move onto a world title fight.

There is a growing rivalry between Darren Barker, Martin Murray and Matthew Macklin who all believe that they are the best middleweight in Britain. But it looks a long way away until any of them actually meet in the ring. Macklin has repeatedly trash-talked and bad-mouthed his fellow countrymen and Barker is not happy about this.

"It did surprise me a bit to be honest. Myself and Martin deserve more respect because we've proved that we're top level fighters, so to be called a "stepping stone" was quite an insult and is something that will come back to haunt him."

Macklin bites back!

Matthew Macklin

Former European middleweight challenger Matthew Macklin has reacted angrily to the comments about him that were made by fellow British middleweight Martin Murray.

Murray called Macklin out yesterday and also insulted the former world title challenger and claimed that Macklin did not have the stomach to get in the ring with him. This is what Macklin had to say in return: "Firstly, I've always had the stomach to get in the ring with anyone as my record shows... I mean, taking a fight with Martin 'Non-punching Murray is hardly a scary proposition for me."

"If he wants to tell his management to contact mine with an offer in writing then let's do it. I am more than willing to get the fight on!"

Macklin is just coming off a fantastic performance against pound-for-pound contender Sergio Martinez. 'Mack the knife' fought well throughout the whole fight but was then knocked down by Martinez in the 11th round which resulted in his corner pulling him out.

Murray is also coming off a very creditable performance. He held world middleweight champion Felix Sturm to a draw last December in a very close fight.

A fight between these two is looking very likely to happen as fans all around the world have started talking about it already. Seeing that Murray has been denied a Visa for the United States, the fight would most likely  have to take place in the UK.

Martin Murray wants Matthew Macklin!

Murray gave Sturm all he could handle.

British middleweight Martin Murray has instructed his team to organise a match-up with fellow Brit Matthew Macklin as soon as possible. 

The former-middleweight world title challenger is looking to prove that he still has what it takes and he has also said that he wants to shut Macklin up for some recent comments made on Twitter.

Matthew Macklin.

"Martin does not like Macklin whatsoever," said a member of Murray's team. "He has instructed us to make the fight at whatever cost. Martin wants to prove he is the best middleweight in the UK. Martin doesn't think Macklin has the stomach to get in the ring with him... This is no disrespect to Darren Barker who is also a great fighter like Macklin. Darren is recovering from an operation and won't be ready for almost six months, but good luck to Darren on his recovery."

Murray still believes he deserves another shot at the world title after he pushed current world champion Felix Sturm to a draw last December in a fight where a win could have easily been given to Murray. 

The St. Helens fighter (24-0-1) is apparently going all out to try and annoy Macklin, 29, and draw him into a domestic grudge match later this year. The winner of the fight would be likely to get a world title shot.

"I'm going to finish Macklin and give the British fans the fight to see to prove I'm the best middleweight in the UK," explained Murray.

"Matthew has lots to say on Twitter and so on, so he should sign on to meet me in the ring or keep quiet."

Macklin recently lost to P4P No.3 Sergio Martinez in what was a close fight until Macklin was pulled out by his corner in the 11th round.

Both of these superb fighters deserve another world title shot. But, who deserves it more?.. Only one wy to find out... FIGHT!!!

Martin Murray withdraws from Chavez Jr fight!

British, Commonwealth and Intercontinental champion Martin Murray has had to withdraw from his fight with WBC world middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr due to the fact that he will not be able to get a visa in time.

The reason for this is that Murray spent time in prison when he was younger but since then has turned his life around. This means that because of his past there was a delay with the approval of the visa.

The fight was scheduled for June 16th and was to be held in Texas. Murray is very annoyed with the situation. ''I'd signed the contract and everything was agreed so to be told I cannot box Chavez Jr because of my past is gut-wrenching''said Murray. ''As a human being I couldn't have done any more to turn my life around in the last seven years.''

Murray in fight with Felix Sturm.

Murray has said that he will still try and get himself a visa so he can box in the United States in the future but for now he will concentrate on defending his titles and maybe add another Lonsdale belt this summer.
He proved that he is able to fight at world level when he drew with WBA super champion Felix Sturm last december.

Murray is very grateful to his promoter Ricky Hatton for everything he has done. ''I would like to thank my team, Hatton Promotions for all their efforts and I have every faith in them.''

Hatton also commented on the situation saying: ''This is a sledgehammer for Martin and his team but everyone at Hatton Promotions will work to get him another world title fight.''

Andy Lee ready for fight night!

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Irish middleweight Andy Lee discusses his return to the ring tomorrow night when he takes on Anthony Fitzgerald at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast. He also talks about training with Adam booth and his fellow domestic middleweights. 

Darren Barker Post-Fight Interview

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