Martin Murray will challenge Arthur Abraham for the WBO World Super Middleweight title at the TUI Arena in Hannover, Germany on November 21 live on Sky Sports and Sat.1.
The St Helens man will be hoping to claim World honours at the fourth time of asking. Having made the move up to Super Middleweight, following a brave attempt at the formidable Kazakh Gennady Golovkin’s Middleweight titles and titanic tussles for the World titles of Felix Sturm in Germany and Sergio Martinez in Argentina, the 33 year old has recorded three wins inside the distance, and believes now the time has come for him to claim boxing’s ultimate prize.
“I am thrilled to have the chance to face Arthur for the WBO World Super Middleweight title,” said Murray. “I was shocked when Arthur agreed to the fight, it’s one he didn’t have to take so must be confident but I am at my natural weight now and believe on November 21 I will become World champion.
“It’s the fight that I targeted when I chose to move up to Super Middleweight and it’s one that I am confident of winning. I know that Arthur is a great champion and a tough man to beat on his home patch, but my trainer Oliver Harrison and I both believe that we have the formula to take his title.
“I have never been afraid to travel to fight for World titles and this occasion will be no different; I expect lots of Brits to travel to Germany and it will be a fantastic atmosphere and a great fight for the fans in the Arena and watching on Sky Sports and Sat.1.”
Abraham, the 35 year-old from Berlin, will be aiming for a fifth successive defence of his WBO strap following a devastating sixth-round technical knockout victory over domestic rival Robert Stieglitz, and the two-time World Champion is expecting a tough test against his battle hardened opponent Murray.
‘’Martin is a very strong opponent,’’ said Abraham. ‘’He has challenged for World titles three times before and on two of those occasion he should of won. He is a very deserving challenger and I think it will be a good fight. That is what the public want to see – the best fighting the best – and that is what they will see on November 21 in Hannover.’’
Abraham is no stranger to fighting British opposition. Most recently he squared off against former British Champion Paul Smith in two competitive championship contests. As he prepares to face another Brit, the German fighter has drawn comparisons between Murray and his former opponent Smith.
“Martin is a very different type of fighter than Paul,” said Abraham. “He is more experienced and has fought at a much higher level. When I fought Paul I was the best opponent he had faced but Martin has fought at this level before so I expect this fight to be a tougher challenge.”
Abraham’s promoter Kalle Sauerland: “This is a great match up between two real warriors. Arthur has silenced his critics and proven time and time again why he is the man to beat at 168 lbs. His last performance against Stieglitz is testament to how much more he still has to give in the sport and we expect him to deliver another explosive performance on November 21.
“Martin Murray is a fighter who I have a lot of respect for. He has gone on the road, fighting the very best and is unlucky not to have already been crowned World Champion. This may well be his last chance and I expect him to give it his all and more than play his part in this fascinating encounter.”
Murray title tilt is part of a huge night of World championship action on Sky Sports as Anthony Crolla hosts Darleys Perez at the Manchester Arena in a rematch for the WBA World Lightweight title.
Murray’s promoter Eddie Hearn added: “I’m delighted to deliver this shot for Martin on a huge night of World Championship boxing on Sky Sports. It’s a fight Martin and his team have been asking me for since he signed with us and the opportunity that I believe will see him realise his dream of becoming World Champion.”
The WBO World Super Middleweight Championship fight between Arthur Abraham and Martin Murray will be broadcast live on Sat.1 in Germany and Sky Sports in the UK. Tickets are available online via www.tickethall.deand www.eventim.de
