By Nick Kelly

‘Of the 2008 Beijing Olympic squad, which young Brit will be the first to win a world title?’  It’s a pertinent question as the class of Olympians, with the exception of Bradley Saunders and Khalid Yafai, who have retained their amateur status, now complete their first year in the pro ranks.

 

James DeGale and Frankie Gavin would no doubt be favourites to become the first to net world honours due to their extensive coverage on Sky Sports, and the fact that they won gold in the Olympics and World Amateur Championships respectively.  Tony Jeffries and Billy Joe Saunders, meanwhile, have captured the imagination with their quick adaptation to the programme whilst heavyweight David Price’s experience and hard punching will no doubt take him far.

 

One name that is flying under the radar however is Joe Murray, and though he may lack the notoriety of the others, his transition to the pros has perhaps been the quickest.  On March 26th Joe takes on Yuri Voronin, on the undercard of Anthony Small vs Sam Webb, in his first eight rounder.  The fight will take place at Dagenham’s Goresbrook Leisure Centre, the same venue in which Yuri Voronin faced Nicky Cook for the European featherweight title four years ago.

 

The step up in class might be surprising for some, especially as Voronin extended both Cook and Bernard Dunne the distance, but Murray is relishing the opportunity to prove his class and show that he has just as much talent as the other Olympians.

 

“I’m really excited,” said Murray after a rigorous training session at Gallagher’s gym in Denton, South Manchester.  “I’m always looking to show people around England that my talent is as good as the other Olympians.  People say I’m the forgotten Olympian so to go to London it’s a chance to show my talent and I can’t wait for it.”

 

Murray’s trainer Joe Gallagher, who is also training the genial Anthony Crolla, British lightweight champion John Murray and Hosea Burton the ABA middleweight champion, was also keen to praise the young Mancunian.  “He’s been the forgotten Olympian, not only with Sky but also the national press.  Hopefully, he’s going to try and make a statement against Voronin,” declared Gallagher.

 

Gallagher was cautious, however, in predicting a fourth straight knockout win for Murray after his opening three bouts all went the distance.  “For Joe this is a fight where he’s going to have to pace himself.  Joe on his debut did six-threes whereas the other Olympians are only just starting to do them,” stated Gallagher.

“Joe, in only his seventh fight, is now onto eight-threes but I’d love Joe to get the rounds under his belt.  It’s great when the stoppages come, and they are coming, but let’s not get carried away.  If the stoppage comes, it comes, but we’re asking big things by going against this calibre of opponent.  I’d be happy with eight good rounds.”

 

“Voronin is a tough durable kid and I’m sure he’ll come to win,” Murray concurred.  “This will be his third visit to England and I’m sure he’ll try and make the upset.  That’s why I’ve got to be in the gym and ready for him.”

Up the old rickety stairs and at the back of the Betta Bodies gym, the boxers can be found five times a week undergoing the strenuous workout instructed by Gallagher.  Skipping, bag work, shadow boxing and gruelling circuits are all in a day's work for these boxers.  If that wasn’t enough they’ll then undergo weights with famed nutritionist and former bodybuilder Kerry Kayes, a vital part of the training regime notes Gallagher, especially as Murray gets older and grows into the super bantamweight division.

 

It’s not just the weight that is developing for Murray though but also the adaptation to the professional style.  “We’re still learning, we’re learning all the time.  I think you pick up little stuff fight by fight, like that you’ve got to slow up a little bit and you can’t blow up in a round or two.  As an amateur you let it all go early, try and get the win and get ahead on points.  I think it’s more taking rounds than winning rounds by massive margins and keeping your stamina for later on,” Murray said.

 

As well as the aforementioned training regime, Murray has this week been sparring European super bantamweight champion Rendall Munroe over eight rounds.  “They’ve sparred a number of times,” admits Gallagher.

“Rendall has always been very complimentary about sparring Joe because he doesn’t have it all his own way and it’s a very competitive spar.  Both of them have their rounds and it’s ideal, the pair of them can’t get enough of it.  Joe is tall, fast hands, fast jabs and it helps Rendall because he is a small but very strong southpaw.  It was great watching them spar the other day.”

 

After such a busy and exciting twelve months for Murray what has been the highlight?  “I think boxing in Vegas was my highlight and I think if you asked any other of the Olympians they would want to box in Vegas,” said Murray.

“Boxing in Vegas, I don’t think you can beat that.  I think every fighter wants to box in Vegas on a big undercard or top the bill there.”

 

With such big opportunities looming for Murray, it would be easy for the young Olympian and trainer Joe Gallagher to get ahead of themselves.  However, neither would be drawn on the title prospects that loom large.

“I’ll fight for a title when the team around me say I’m ready to fight,” says the 22-year-old Murray.  “I’m just the force, when I’m fighting they’re the drivers.  They tell me when it’s ready to go and when they say I’m ready to go, I’ll take it with both hands.”

 

“We’re not worried about what they’re doing, we’re in the Joe Murray business and I’m really pleased with the way it has gone so far,” added Gallagher. 

“Hatton Promotions year have got him on a Las Vegas bill, got him boxing in front of his home crowd at the Velodrome, just a stone’s throw from his house, and now they’re giving him his debut down in London.  I’m very happy with the team surrounding him, the work Kerry Kayes has done with him, the way Ricky gives him bits of advice, and it’s hopefully going to be a great 2010.”

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