Murray Euro bout scrapped

Manchester Evening News26th March, 2010

John Murray's wait for the European lightweight title has been put on hold again after Ukrainian Andrei Kudriavtsev pulled out of their bout for the vacant belt.

The fight was due to go to purse bids yesterday but has now been scrapped, leaving Murray looking at another three-month delay in his bid to be crowned king of Europe.

Lee McAllister has immediately been installed as the British champion's next opponent, with the European Boxing Union stipulating that the clash go ahead within three months.

That would still leave Murray inactive for eight months since his stunning knockout of Jon Thaxton last October.

Now he is hoping to make a quick defence of his British title to win the Lonsdale belt outright.

English champion Martin Gethin is in pole position to take on the undefeated 25-year-old.

"I'm absolutely gutted and frustrated," said Murray. "I was back in the gym two weeks after beating Thaxton and thought I'd have a European title shot by Christmas or January at the latest.

"It is nearly 25 weeks since I was last in the ring and I'm still no closer. I'm in the best form of my life and I need to be making money, which I can't do when I'm inactive."

This is the latest blow to Murray's hopes after seeing former champion Anthony Mezaache vacate the title weeks before they were due to fight in America.

Kudriavtsev was then installed as his opponent for the vacant belt, only for the Ukrainian to pull out as well.

Despite being British No 1 he has had to watch as Kevin Mitchell has stolen the march, earning a world title shot against WBO champion Michael Katsidis.

"I've proven I'm the best in Britain at the weight, but he's leapfrogged me," said Murray. "I wanted to fight Katsidis. I wanted a world title this year but I thought I'd be European champion by now."