Murray confident of making history, Pickering promising big things
By Presser (December 1, 2005)
 
Manchester’s John Murray is confident that he can make history on the Carl Froch vs. Ruben Groenewald undercard at the Nottingham Arena this Friday, whilst Esham Pickering hits the comeback trail confident of returning to title class.

Murray aims to become the first ever British fighter to win a WBC World Youth Title when he takes on tough Colombian Nacho Mendoza over ten rounds for the lightweight version of the Championship, which has never been contested before on domestic soil.

Whilst he appreciates he is in tough for a night, he is confident of claiming the Championship for under 23-year-old’s, designed to open up a path to full WBC honours.

“I have seen a bit of Mendoza. He looks like a handy kid,” admitted 21-year-old Murray, managed by Steve Wood and trained by Joe Gallagher. “He is big, looks very strong and has very fast hands.

“It’s going to be a difficult fight, but I will come through. It will take me a few rounds to work him out but then I think my strength will be too much for him.”

In October, Murray jumped at a last minute opportunity to provide the British interest on a card in Quebec. Despite only flying out to Canada a few days before the fight he stopped the tough Tyrone Wiggins in style to leave the locals cheering his name. He aims to impress again.

“I’ve got a sparkly new pair of shorts for the occasion, so I will put a bit of dazzle into my boxing to match!”

On the same undercard Newark’s former British, Commonwealth and European super bantamweight champion Esham Pickering returns from his contentious defeat to Michael Hunter in Hartlepool last month in what was arguably fight of the year. He will take on France’s Frederic Bonifai over six rounds.

“I wanted to get back into the ring as soon as possible after that defeat,” said the 29-year-old. “Whilst I thought I won I didn’t box to my full ability, so I want to get on with putting things right.

“After this I would like to have one more fight before a rematch against Hunter. I want to win my titles back. If he doesn’t want it again I will build back towards another world title shot. Either way I will be back up there, Esham Pickering is far from done yet.

“I would love for my future title fights to be at the Arena alongside Carl Froch. It’s a great venue and I love Nottingham. I am looking forward to boxing on this bill. It’s good to be home.”

“Cold-blooded predator,’ headlined by Carl Froch v Ruben Groenewald, takes place at the Nottingham Arena on Friday 2nd December. Tickets are available on 0870 121 0123. The undercard features a historical fight for the WBC Youth Lightweight world title between Manchester’s John Murray and Colombia’s Nacho Mendoza. For the latest bill please visit www.HennessySports.com
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