Ricky Hatton-promoted Martin Murray hopes to light up the United States with a big fight before the end of the year.
Murray proved his credentials on boxing’s biggest stage in April when he dropped division supremo Sergio Martinez on his way to a controversial decision loss.
Yet the 30-year-old’s stock has risen massively – despite a mooted fight with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. falling through – and Murray is hopeful he can cross the Atlantic before 2014.
“I want to box in America, like every fighter does,” said Murray, who is currently recovering from minor elbow surgery.
“HBO were very impressed with how I performed against Martinez and have said they’d be happy to show me again.
“I need to get cracking on getting my visa sorted and then I can hopefully get some big fights sorted over there.”
St Helens-based Murray, now 25-1-1 (11KOs), also hinted he may consider a move up to super-middleweight – home of four-time world champion Carl Froch – if the right opportunities arise.
In the meantime his sights are firmly set on the 160lbs division’s best, including Kazakh destroyer Gennady Golovkin or British rivals Matthew Macklin and Darren Barker.
“I’m open to all offers at middleweight, whether it be against Chavez Jnr, the winner of Golovkin v Macklin or whoever,” he said.
“I’ve got momentum from the Martinez fight and I need to make sure I don’t go stale or get shut out of the picture like I did after I fought Felix Sturm.
“I’ve proven that I’m an elite fighter twice already and I’ve been unlucky both times. I know I belong at the top level and I know I’m good enough to become a world champion.
“It’s just a matter of time before I get my hands on one of those belts and I don’t care who I have to fight to do it.”
Picture courtesy of Mathew Robinson/Hatton Promotions, with thanks
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