Berman, who signed Murray to an exclusive deal earlier this year, has guided the Briton to a lofty position as the number one with the WBC following a recent victory over Max Bursak for the silver title and has now slated his charge for another outing on October 25.
Murray, 31, may have to be patient in his bid for challenge for the coveted green belt though as predominant 154lber Cotto contemplates a defence of the title he took so impressive from Sergio Martinez last month. The Puerto Rican superstar may well decide against tackling Murray, who is a big middleweight, due to the size advantages the challenger would have and Berman is already looking at options for what will now become a tune-up in late autumn.
Italian Domenico Spada is one of those being considered for the Monte Carlo headliner, although reports that the fight was a done deal are not quite accurate as Berman closes in on making a formal announcement.
“As far as Martin Murray in October is concerned, this is something of a cleft stick as Murray is now the official leading contender with the WBC and it is cast in stone that he will fight for and secure the title which is rightfully his,” Berman exclusively told World Boxing News.
“Unfortunately, the time frame is out of my control and a lot will obviously depend on what Cotto decides to do. Hopefully, this will be sooner rather than later and I am going to the WBC Convention specifically for this purpose.
“Matching Murray in the interim is not going to be easy, and whilst Spada makes sense from a strategic point of view as he is number 8 with the WBC and fought ten Rounds with Rubio in his last fight, a decision will be made shortly,” added Berman.
St Helens born Murray last fought for the WBC belt when travelling to Argentina against recent Cotto foe Martinez and losing out via a close decision on all three cards. Despite being unable to take the title home, Murray dropped ‘Maravilla’ and put on an impressive display throughout, with many believing he did enough to get the verdict in front of a Partizan crowd in Buenos Aires.
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