Matchroom confirm signing of former world middleweight challenger Martin Murray

Matchroom have confirmed the signing of three-time world middleweight title challenger Martin Murray, who will make his debut at super-middleweight on June 26.

The St Helens fighter, who has been in with the very best in the division and took the seemingly-unstoppable Gennady Golovkin to 11 rounds in their WBA super-middleweight title clash in Monaco back in February, will make his Matchroom debut on an action-packed Echo Arena card - live on Sky Sports.

Murray will be hoping it will be a case of fourth-time lucky in his ongoing pursuit of world title glory having just missed out via controversial decisions to former WBC king Sergio Martinez in 2013 (unanimous decision) and former WBA champion Felix Sturm in 2011 (draw).

"I'm delighted to sign for Matchroom and am so excited about the future with them and Sky Sports," said Murray.

"I've been in major fights all over the world against Felix Sturm in Germany, Sergio Martinez in Argentina and Golovkin in France but now I feel it's time that I had those major fights in the UK.

"I've fought the very best at middleweight and now I'm ready to do the same at 168lbs. It's a hot division and domestically can throw up some absolute wars. James DeGale did great to capture the world title and I’d love that fight later this year. George Groves is also challenging for a title and again it's a fight I’d relish.

"I'm excited to return at the Echo Arena on June 26. I've never boxed there and it's not far from my hometown – it's the beginning of a new journey for me. I've always felt I could become a world champion and now under Eddie, Matchroom and Sky Sports I know I will make that dream become reality."

Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn was equally enthusiastic over the news, adding: "I’m delighted to welcome Martin to our team of elite fighters.

"Martin has proved time and again that he is one of the best middleweights in the world and now I am looking forward to building him further in the UK and being involved in some huge domestic and international fights.

It all starts on June 26 at the Echo Arena – these are great times for British boxing and I’m so pleased I get the chance to deliver for Martin Murray.

"It all starts on June 26 at the Echo Arena – these are great times for British boxing and I’m so pleased I get the chance to deliver for Martin Murray."

It's another big night of boxing in Liverpool later this month with world-rated super-middleweights Callum Smith and Rocky Fielding taking on Christopher Rebrasse and Brian Vera respectively while another Liverpudlian, cruiserweight Tony Bellew, faces Lubos Suda.

David Price had also been due to fight in front of his home fans but his heavyweight contest was called off due to a neck injury.

Watch Martin Murray make his Matchroom debut at Liverpool's Echo Arena, June 26 at 7.30pm, Sky Sports 3