IT’S SOL TO PLAY FOR!
Murray targets IBF champ Sam for third crack at world title
MARTIN MURRAY is eyeing up a go at IBF middleweight champion Sam Soliman.
The St Helens scrapper must first overcome Max Bursak in Monte Carlo next week before he can start dreaming of a third world title fight.
Murray has been one of the unluckiest British boxers not to win a world championship. He drew with Felix Sturm in a WBA title fight in December 2011 and last year was controversially outpointed by Sergio Martinez in a WBC challenge.
Murray’s South African promoter Rodney Berman wants to stage the contest against Soliman on October 21 and made a “substantial offer” to the Aussie.
He said: “The middleweight division is very fluid right now and Martin is a big part of that. He has proved himself in major fights and he has huge pulling power.”
But Murray insists he won’t overlook Ukrainian Bursak, who has won 29 of his 32 fights and is a former European champion.
Murray said: “I was there watching him in February when he fought in Monte Carlo and I thought he was unlucky not to get the decision against Australia’s Jarrod Fletcher. He’s in your face, he’s rugged, tough and a brawler. I’m expecting a tough, physical night.
“My last two fights I’ve known that I could go in there and do my own thing but I’m up for this one like I was my world title fights.
“I’m looking forward to putting on a really good performance.”
Murray, 31, is becoming British boxing’s road warrior with recent fights in Argentina, Germany, South Africa and now the millionaire’s playground of Monte Carlo.
And there seems no immediate chance of a return home to box.
He added: “Boxing is a job to me. When I first started off I’d think, ‘ I wanna be on Sky!’ and I was buzzing when I got there.
“That’s what it’s all about now. You can’t blame the kids for wanting to be on Sky, but it’s not about that with me.
“First and foremost it’s always been a job to me. I’m not really bothered about that. Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice, but I’ve got a great deal.
“My next fight is in Casino Square in Monte Carlo. I’m just a normal lad from St Helens so for me to be fighting in such a prestigious place is a bit surreal.”
Murray v Bursak is live and exclusive on BoxNation ( Sky channel 437/ 490 in HD & Virgin 546) on Saturday night at 7pm. Visit boxnation. com to subscribe.