Murdock has lot at stake

MAKE no mistake, Rohan Murdock is feeling plenty of nerves right about now.

Tonight is the first of three bouts mapped out for the Gold Coast super middleweight boxer, who boasts a 22-1 record, as he pursues his world title dream.

Murdock is up against Argentine veteran Pablo Nievas at the Pullman King George Square in Brisbane and he is not expecting an easy ride.

“I have watched a lot of his fights … he is tough and strong and big and he can take a shot,” Murdock said.

“The plan is to just go out there and box smart.

“He has been there with several different world champions, he’s done the 12-round distances and all that so we know he is going to come strong and hard at us but our plan is just to stay composed and we should be able to outbox him and hopefully get him in the later rounds.”

There is plenty at stake for the 26-year-old, triggering nerves.

“There is so much on the line for me,” he said.

“I have got so much going on right now – a path to be where I want to be – and if I don’t win this fight, it just stops absolutely everything so I am definitely nervous.”

“But if I am nervous, I usually rise to the occasion and perform better.”

Murdock in general, though, feels more at ease these days about his preparation having experienced the chaos of getting ready for a bout overseas in his last start in February in the US.

“Going through that American experience has made everything just so much more cruisy and comfortable for me now,” he said.