Martin Murray replaces Gavin McDonnell on Leeds bill
Tuesday 11 August 2015 11:06, UK
Martin Murray will have his first championship bout since his loss to Gennady Golovkin when he replaces Gavin McDonnell on the bill at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on September 5.
The bout will be live on Sky Sports, with an opponent to be named soon, and the 32-year-old Murray will battle for a first strap at super-middleweight, having stepped up to that division in June.
Murray put up a brave fight against the hugely talented middleweight star Golovkin when he fought for a world title in Monaco in February but was ultimately stopped in the 11th round.
He then made the move to super-middleweight and has subsequently defeated George Beroshvili and Mirzet Bajrektarevic in comprehensive fashion.
Gavin McDonnell will now defend his European super bantamweight title against Jeremy Parodi in October as he will be in Texas with his twin brother Jamie, whose rematch with Tomoki Kameda is scheduled for September 6.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said: “With Gavin travelling to Texas with his brother Jamie, I wanted to add a major addition to the September 5 card.
“Martin has already boxed twice on Sky Sports in the last seven weeks but this time he will step up the opposition in a title fight as he gears up for a shot at a world title at super middleweight.”
A busy night is in store in Leeds as Murray joins a bill which also features home town favourite Josh Warrington defending his WBC International and Commonwealth featherweight titles against Joel Brunker.
New Matchroom Boxing signing Callum Johnson will face Southampton’s Tony Hill for the WBC International light-heavyweight title, Birmingham super-flyweight star Kal Yafai will bid to retain his unbeaten record, and Andy Townend will make the first defence of his English super-featherweight title against Lee Glover.
