Murray ready to step up

14 September 2009 – By Cormac Campbell

Cavan lightweight Andrew Murray has told irish-boxing.com that the time has come for him to put up or shut up.

The unbeaten stylist was speaking ahead of his September 26 EU title clash with Italian Pasquale Di Silvio at Dublins O2 Arena. The bout will see the former amateur star promoted to chief support for Dunne vs Poonsawat a role he is relishing.

“Its a big fight for me in a big venue and it’s up to me to perform on the night, to put on a show for the fans,” Murray told irish-boxing.com.

“It is a good learning fight that will bring me on for the future. Ive been around for a while now and people have talked about me. So now I have to put up or shut up as they say.”

Preparation at John Breens Belfast gym has gone well for Murray, who two weeks out from fight night is already within touching distance of the lightweight limit.

“You get loads of knocks in sparring but no problems. The weight is fine. Im just a pound over a couple of weeks out so it is going well.”

In front of Murray, 16-0 (8KO), is the 30-year-old Di Silvio, 10-1 (4KO), an opponent Murray feels will be a tough nut to crack.

“Ive seen clips of him on youtube and he is a bit of a clever boxer so I am learning from different opponents and their different styles. In our gym he is probably most like Kevin OHara, in terms of movement and staying out of the way. This Italian tucks up well and rolls and dips and slips and Kevin is quite similar to him in height as well.

Murrays fan base has grown with his reputation and he is confident there will be a large contingent from his hometown in Dublin.

“I would have had to been deaf not to hear the support the last time and this time I have another load coming to support me. It is one sport that is well supported in Cavan and hopefully I can do them proud.”

Another man who has done the people of Cavan proud is John Joe Nevin, with the amateur bantamweight picking up world bronze in Milan last week. This came as no surprise to former clubmate Murray.

“He has taken the limelight and fair play to him. I said to him before he went to the World Championships that he would come back with a medal and I am delighted for him. He always puts the effort in and he has gotten what he deserves.”

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