Super middleweight contender Martin Murray and Gabriel Rosado have participated in six world title fights between them but are a combined 0-5-1, including each suffering a knockout loss to middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin.
But Murray (34-4-1, 16 KOs) and Rosado (23-10, 13 KOs) have not given up on their quests for another world title shot, and they will fight to keep their fading dreams alive. Murray and Rosado, who is moving up to super middleweight, will square off April 22 at Echo Arena in Liverpool, England, Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has announced.
"This is going to be a brilliant fight," Murray said. "Our styles are going to jell, and the fans are in for a treat. We've both experienced massive nights and had plenty of world title bouts between us. I still feel that I can become a world champion, and beating a class fighter like Rosado on a big Sky Sports bill will show that I am still well capable of landing a belt."
Murray, 34, of England, is 0-3-1 in title fights at middleweight and super middleweight with a draw against Felix Sturm (2011) and losses to Sergio Martinez (2013), Golovkin (2015) and Arthur Abraham (2015). In 2013, Rosado suffered stoppage losses to Golovkin and Peter Quillin, both times the victim of terrible cuts.
Rosado, 31, of Philadelphia, is coming off a 12-round decision loss to Willie Monroe Jr. in September on the Canelo Alvarez-Liam Smith undercard. After the fight, Rosado was released by Golden Boy Promotions.
Now he will be fighting outside the United States for the first time, something he has wanted to do.
"We wanted a fight in the UK," Rosado said. "This is the perfect opponent for true fight fans, and I'll meet Murray in the middle of the ring. It's going to be a great war."
The fight came up when Rosado contacted Hearn about fighting in the United Kingdom and Hearn said he immediately thought about a fight with Murray.
"When I was approached from Gabriel Rosado to fight in the UK, the Murray fight came straight into my head," Hearn said. "Two absolute warriors renowned for their all-action styles, and I really believe this has all the ingredients for a fight of the year contender. I'm pleased that Martin is getting the chance to headline a big card so close to home."
