Martin Murray has revealed that his scheduled WBO World middleweight title bout against Billy Joe Saunders has been cancelled for a second time, with the St Helen’s man claiming Saunders has “sh*t out” of their agreed match-up.
The initial contest was slated for April, however, Saunders would reschedule after suffering a hand injury in training camp. Murray announced on his Instagram this morning that the champion has now withdrawn, this time citing a hamstring problem.
With negotiations for divisional elite Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin’s rematch apparently hitting the skids, the timing of the pull-out from Saunders is questionable and convenient at best – and it is not lost on Murray.]
“The fights off with BJS, he’s sh*t out again. The first time it was hand, now it’s his hamstring. We know that he’s just trying to make a big money fight with Canelo or Golovkin. I’m just too risky to fight, he just doesn’t want to fight me. There’s nothing I can do.” said Murray.
The withdrawal from Saunders is a hammer blow to Murray, who was seen by many as a huge underdog in what was considered his last shot at World title honours.
After becoming tired with promoter Frank Warren talking up a proposed Saunders-Golovkin/Saunders-Canelo bout in the build-up, Murray would hit out at his promoter’s treatment during a press conference in London.
Furthermore, it is an agreement between the two fighters – in that Saunders claimed he would honour a deal to fight fellow family-man Murray next – that will perhaps be the most difficult to swallow.
“It’s the second time I’ve took myself away from my family.” said father-of-three Murray.
“I’ve got my body in this condition, ready to fight and it gets to the last minute and it’s all cancelled. So obviously gutted, but nothing I can do.”
Murray would go on to issue a heartfelt message to his travelling support, stating that his management team were working to reschedule his fight date, with an announcement due “in the next couple of weeks”.
“I just want to apologise to everybody who’s bought tickets, booked hotels, booked train fares and just say thank you to everybody for the continued support and believing in me. My management team is working on an alternative, so hopefully I have a date in the next couple of weeks. Like I said, thanks to everyone for the continued support.”
It is unclear as to how long Saunders will be on the shelf for, however, with the rumour mill already showing signs of life, a potential money-spinning showdown with either Alvarez or Golovkin now looks more and more likely for the 28-year-old.