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Arthur Abraham versus Martin Murray on Nov. 21

Fighters Network
07
Oct
Abraham (R) tags Paul Smith in their February rematch.

Arthur Abraham (R) tags Paul Smith in their February rematch.

‘King’ Arthur Abraham (43-4, 29 KOs) will defend his WBO super middleweight title against Britain’s Martin Murray (32-2-1, 15 KOs) on November 21 at the TUI Arena in Hannover, Germany.

Abraham, the 35-year-old from Berlin, will be aiming for a fifth successive defense of his WBO strap following a devastating sixth-round technical knockout victory over domestic rival Robert Stieglitz, and the two-time titleholder is expecting a tough test against his battle-hardened opponent Murray.

”Martin is a very strong opponent,” said Abraham, who is rated No. 1 by THE RING at 168 pounds. ”He has challenged for world titles three times before and, on two of those occasions, he should have won. He is a very deserving challenger and I think it will be a good fight. That is what the public wants to see – the best fighting the best – and that is what they will see on November 21 in Hannover.”

Abraham is no stranger to fighting British opposition. Most recently, he squared off against former British champion Paul Smith in two competitive championship contests. As he prepares to face another Brit, the German fighter has drawn comparisons between Murray and his former opponent.



”Martin is a very different type of fighter than Paul,” said Abraham. ”He is more experienced and has fought at a much higher level. When I fought Paul, I was the best opponent he had faced but Martin has fought at this level before so I expect this fight to be a tougher challenge.”

Murray, from St Helens, England, will be hoping to claim world honors at the fourth time of asking. Having made the move up to super middleweight, following a brave attempt at the formidable Kazakh Gennady Golovkin’s middleweight title, the 33-year-old has recorded three wins inside the distance and believes now the time has come for him to claim a substantial prize at 168 pounds.

“I am thrilled to have the chance to face Arthur for the title,” said Murray. ”I was shocked when Arthur agreed to the fight; it’s one he didn’t have to take so he must be confident but I’m at my natural weight now and believe, on November 21, I will become world champion.

“It’s the fight that I targeted when I chose to move up to super middleweight and it’s one that I am confident of winning. I know that Arthur is a great champion and a tough man to beat on his home patch but my trainer Oliver Harrison and I both believe that we have the formula to take his title.

“I have never been afraid to travel to fight for world titles and this occasion will be no different. I expect lots of Brits to travel to Germany and it will be a fantastic atmosphere and a great fight for the fans in the Arena and those watching on Sky Sports and Sat.1.”

Promoter Kalle Sauerland said, ”This is a great match up between two real warriors. Arthur has silenced his critics and proven time and time again why he is the man to beat at 168 pounds. His last performance against Stieglitz is testament to how much more he still has to give in the sport and we expect him to deliver another explosive performance on November 21.

”Martin Murray is a fighter who I have a lot of respect for. He has gone on the road, fighting the very best and is unlucky not to have already been crowned world champion. This may well be his last chance and I expect him to give it his all and more than play his part in this fascinating encounter.”

“I’m delighted to deliver this shot for Martin,” said Murray’s promoter Eddie Hearn. ”It’s a fight Martin and his team have been asking me for since he signed with us and the opportunity that I believe will see him realize his dream of becoming world champion.”

Tickets for Abraham versus Murray are available online via tickethall.de and eventim.de.

Information courtesy of a press release issued by Sauerland Promotions

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