After signing with Golden Gloves in 2014, South African promoter Rodney Berman promised Murray that he would nail down a world title fight against Gennday Golovkin in 2015 and duly followed through with their arrangement over the weekend.
Following Saturday night’s spirited effort, in which Murray took the formidable Golovkin further than any fighter before him, Berman has informed WBN that the St Helens man will remain an integral part of his plans for the future.
“We have extended our contract with Martin Murray for a further three-fight deal,” Berman exclusively told World Boxing News on Monday morning.
“Martin not only made us proud, but the whole of St. Helens and Great Britain too!”
Manager Andrew Mikhail added: “I’m so proud of Martin. Nobody else would have taken that (from Golovkin. He took more than I liked but he’s done the UK proud!”
Asked whether Murray would now consider a move up to super-middleweight, Berman replied: “After Martin’s display on Saturday, it’s been decided that he will stay at middleweight,” he said. “Martin will take a well-earned rest and thereafter, on the back of his showing on Saturday, we are pursuing the world middleweight title again.”
The 32 year-old was put down three times on his way to only a second career loss in 32 contests, but is still considered one of the best 160lb fighters on the planet with many sizeable options on the table.
Fights with UK and Irish rivals Billy Joe Saunders, Andy Lee, Matthew Macklin and Chris Eubank Jr are all possible for Murray over the next twelve months as the British number one prepares to once again launch an assault on the world middleweight title holders.
