Martin Murray interested in Lee fight but tells DiBella to up offer

By Jonny Stapleton
Undefeated English middleweight Martin Murray told Lou DiBella to up his offer if he wants him to fight Irish star Andy Lee in Madison Square Garden on March 17.

The recent World title challenger-Murray got a draw against long reigning WBA world champion Felix Sturm in Germany last month-told Mirror Sport he would like to fight the Limerick southpaw on what is growing into a sensational St Patrick’s day card, but claims he was under valued in the American promoters opening offer.

Camp Lee claim former European Champion Darren Barker turned down the chance to face him and it seems they are now in pursuit of Murray.

The 29 year old Hatton Promotion’s fighter would prove the perfect foe for the Kronk star as he tries to manoeuvre his way into world title recognition in 2012.

However, despite admitting he is keen to get the more American notoriety and is interested in the mouth-watering Irish English Paddy’s Day  dust, Murray claims finances have ensured the bout has yet to be made.

“I would definitely be open to fighting Andy Lee on March 17th but it’s got to be worth it,” the popular Murray told Mirror Sport.

“Lou DiBella has put an offer in but it’s not right at all so we’ve rejected it. I know that Andy is a world class fighter and trained by a world class trainer. I think me and him would make for a great fight. Andy is by all accounts a good guy too. He contacted me on twitter wishing me luck for the Sturm fight which I thought was good of him. I’d love to fight in Madison Square Garden and it would be a perfect opportunity for me to get noticed in America.”

If the British and Commonwealth Middleweight does agree to fight the former Irish Olympian he is confident of victory.

Murray believes with had work he could grow his reputation in the Garden by defeating the Emanuel Steward trained fighter.

“With Oliver in my corner and everything working right on the night I’d be confident of beating him. I wouldn’t be worried about going to New York at all.”

Although he is open to trading leather with Lee the fight the St Helen’s native really desires is a rematch with German Sturm.

“I’m hoping for a rematch but I know he won’t offer it me. It’s funny how he offers Randy Griffin a rematch and Matthew Macklin a rematch but not me. It’s because he knows that he can’t beat me. He realised when we was in there that he bitten off more than he could chew. It was my first time at that level and I’m only going to get better and he knows that.”

Like Matthew Macklin, Murray’s display against Sturm at world level has injected further momentum into his career. However, unlike ‘Mack The Knife’, who was robbed at glove point in Germany, the former Commonwealth and British champion does not feel aggrieved by the judges the result.

“The fight was very close and I haven’t got no complaints about the result at all because some of the rounds were a bit too close to call. You also have to consider I was fighting him in his own backyard. Most probably my performance wasn’t enough for me to get the decision, but like I said the fight was very close and there would of been no complaints if I did. Having said that, it was my first time fighting at that level and I know what I have to do next time. I know that he knows that and that’s why he won’t give me the rematch.”