Andrew Murray (born 10 September 1982) is an Irish professional boxer who held the Irish lightweight title, having previously held the Irish

light-welterweight Light welterweight, also known as junior welterweight or super lightweight, is a weight class in combat sports. Boxing Professional boxing In professional boxing, light welterweight is contested between the lightweight and welterweight divisions, ...

title also.. Retrieved 24 May 2016. He is also a former European Union lightweight champion, and has challenged once for the

European European, or Europeans, or Europeneans, may refer to: In general * ''European'', an adjective referring to something of, from, or related to Europe ** Ethnic groups in Europe ** Demographics of Europe ** European cuisine, the cuisines of Europe ...

lightweight title.

Amateur career

At the age of ten, Murray began boxing as an amateur at the Cavan ABC. Over the next twelve years he won three All-Ireland Senior titles and two Ulster Senior titles. Murray also represented in Ireland at national level winning a 4 Nations title and three Gold medals for Ireland at the Multi-Nations tournaments. He also won the accolade of "Young Boxer of the Year" in 2003.

Professional career

Murray became frustrated after failing to qualify for the Athens Olympics in 2004 and so decided to switch to the pro ranks and relocate to London under manager Michael Helliet. Murray turned professional in March 2005, winning his first fight at the King's Hall, Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, in which he beat Welshman Jonathan Jones in a fourth-round knockout on a card that included

Jim Rock Jim Rock (born 12 March 1972) is an Irish former professional boxer who competed from 1995 to 2009. He is the only boxer to have held the Irish title at four different weights divisions: light-middleweight, middleweight, super-middleweight and ...

Neil Sinclair Neil Sinclair (born 23 February 1974), is a Northern Irish former professional boxer who competed from 1995 to 2010. He challenged once for the WBO welterweight title in 2010. At regional level, he held the British welterweight title from 2001 ...

and

Eamonn Magee Eamonn Magee (born 13 July 1971) is a retired Irish professional boxer who competed from 1995 to 2007, Retrieved 1 July 2016. becoming the World Boxing Union Welterweight Champion in 2007. He also held the Commonwealth light-welterweight tit ...

. Murray, who fought out of

St. Albans St Albans () is a cathedral city in Hertfordshire, England, east of Hemel Hempstead and west of Hatfield, north-west of London, south-west of Welwyn Garden City and south-east of Luton. St Albans was the first major town on the old Roman ro ...

near London, England, won his first nine pro fights and three by knockout. Having returned to his native Country and County to box, Murray signed a promotional deal with Brian Peters Promotions and moved to John Breen's gym in Belfast. Murray was nominated in the 'Prospect of the Year' category for the 2008 irish-boxing.com National Boxing Awards Unfortunately, on 5 June 2011 he fought Gavin Rees of Wales and lost by Unanimous Decision. The Irish man fought well for the 12 rounds despite powerful punches coming from Rees throughout the fight.

Irish light welterweight title

Murray won the vacant Irish light welterweight title on 8 December 2007. This win came with a controversial stoppage in round 4, Murray's opponent, James Gorman cut Murrays eyebrow area with what appeared to be head clashes. Gormans head made contact with Murrays face a number of times during the fight and the fight was stopped by referee David Irving in round 4. A rematch took place on 22 March 2008, in the

National Stadium, Dublin The National Stadium ( ga, An Staid Náisiúnta) (often referred to as the National Boxing Stadium or the National Sporting Arena) in Dublin, Ireland, is the only purpose-built boxing stadium in the world. Major General WRE Murphy, Deputy Commi ...

, Ireland. Murray successfully defended his title on the night.

Boxing titles

IBA Irish Light Welterweight Title - 8 December 2007 IBA Irish Lightweight Title - 12 July 2008 EBU-EU Lightweight Title - 21 March 2009

References

External links

*
Andrew Murray's Official Website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Murray, Andy 1982 births Boxers from County Cavan Living people Irish male boxers Lightweight boxers