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17/ 7/2008

LEVENSHULME fighter John Murray powered his way to the British lightweight title with a comprehensive victory over Salford’s Lee Meager last week.

Despite pundits claiming it would be a 50-50 contest, Murray showed the form which made him the 2006 Young Boxer of the Year by stopping his good friend in the fifth round at Wigan’s Robin Park Sports Centre.

Murray, who extended his perfect record to 25 wins from 25 fights, claimed the challenge of the British title had been the key to his return to brilliant form.

He said: “My previous couple of fights had been against opponents I was supposed to beat, and I was going into the ring with no fear. It felt like I was in the gym, having a spar, and I just did enough to win.

“But walking out into that atmosphere got me buzzing. I just thought ‘This is why I turned professional, this is why I am in boxing. Winning the title means the world to me.”

Murray was simply too big, too strong, too sharp, too accurate and too skilled for the courageous Meager, who suffered some dreadful punishment. Murray used his aggression to inflict a cut above Meager’s left eye by the fourth round.

In the fifth a stunning left uppercut and left hook had Meager in more trouble and the referee jumped in to stop the contest.

Murray has been linked with a fight against Amir Khan, but has instead targeted Jon Thaxton.

He explained: “People keep asking about Khan, and I would love the fight, but to be honest, I am setting my sights on Jon Thaxton now. If Jon wins the European title in September by beating Juan Carlos Diaz Melero, we could fight for the British and European titles.”