Murray eyes Vanzie return

Murray, who stopped journeyman Keith Jones with a cut eye in the fourth round of the bout at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, now wants a rematch with Bobby Vanzie.

This latest victory follows on from his win against Darren Melville in September, which was his first time in the ring since his defeat to Vanzie in May, when Murray was unlucky to be stopped in the seventh round after he began the contest looking every bit a winner, actually flooring his opponent twice in the first round.

He said: "I was very pleased with my performance on Saturday and people have told me that it is the best they have ever seen me.

"I didn't really want the fight because me and Keith have become quite good friends and it is the fourth time I have fought him.

"But at the end of the day it was business as usual and it was the best I have ever boxed against him, which proved to me that I have improved over the last three years.

"While it was more of a work-out for both of us, I felt the sharpest I have ever been and I was punching the hardest as well."

Despite being a straight forward victory, Murray was quick not to put down the capabilities of his opponent, adding: "People know him as the toughest journeyman around and not a lot of fighters stop him.

"So it was a good result and now we are looking to bigger and better things."

A possible eight-round bout is being lined up against Lucky Samba on December 15 at Wembley Conference Centre on a Ricky Hatton under-card, with the fight possibly being the 26-year-old Harlow fighter's last bout before he is ready for another crack at a belt.

He said: "We are trying to set up a title fight as we speak, whether it is for the British or bigger things we just don't know at the moment."

But while Murray is keen to get back into the ring with Vanzie, he believes his arch-rival may want to avoid him as he is also looking to move up to the European and World stage.

He said: "If they offered me the rematch against him I would take it, but I don't think that will happen because he is looking to step up.

"His people won't want him to fight me again because they know they are at risk. I do think he will get a title shot at either European or World level, which will see the British title become vacant giving me the chance to step in." Steve is ready for a crack at the titlePeter KingJUST ANOTHER DAY AT THE OFFICE: Steve Murray in actions=10HARLOW boxer Steve Murray is hoping to have another crack at the British lightweight title after securing an easy victory on Saturday.o

s=9Murray, who stopped journeyman Keith Jones with a cut eye in the fourth round of the bout at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, now wants a rematch with Bobby Vanzie.o

This latest victory follows on from his win against Darren Melville in September, which was his first time in the ring since his defeat to Vanzie in May, when Murray was unlucky to be stopped in the seventh round after he began the contest looking every bit a winner, actually flooring his opponent twice in the first round.

He said: "I was very pleased with my performance on Saturday and people have told me that it is the best they have ever seen me.

"I didn't really want the fight because me and Keith have become quite good friends and it is the fourth time I have fought him.

"But at the end of the day it was business as usual and it was the best I have ever boxed against him, which proved to me that I have improved over the last three years.

"While it was more of a work-out for both of us, I felt the sharpest I have ever been and I was punching the hardest as well."

Despite being a straight forward victory, Murray was quick not to put down the capabilities of his opponent, adding: "People know him as the toughest journeyman around and not a lot of fighters stop him.

"So it was a good result and now we are looking to bigger and better things."

A possible eight-round bout is being lined up against Lucky Samba on December 15 at Wembley Conference Centre on a Ricky Hatton under-card, with the fight possibly being the 26-year-old Harlow fighter's last bout before he is ready for another crack at a belt.

He said: "We are trying to set up a title fight as we speak, whether it is for the British or bigger things we just don't know at the moment."

But while Murray is keen to get back into the ring with Vanzie, he believes his arch-rival may want to avoid him as he is also looking to move up to the European and World stage.

He said: "If they offered me the rematch against him I would take it, but I don't think that will happen because he is looking to step up.

"His people won't want him to fight me again because they know they are at risk. I do think he will get a title shot at either European or World level, which will see the British title become vacant giving me the chance to step in."

November 29, 2001 14:37