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Meager: I'll get my title back on Friday

Dave Lawrenson
10/ 7/2008

SALFORD-BORN boxer Lee Meager knows how good it feels to win a British title – and he is convinced that he will taste that glory again tomorrow night, Friday, July 11.

The 30-year-old takes on John Murray in a televised Greater Manchester battle at Wigan Robin Park Arena.

Murray, aged 23, boasts a perfect record of 24 wins from 24 fights but Meager claims to be in the best shape of his life and he insists that he has the tools to come out on top.

Meager, who will be fighting for the vacant British lightweight title he lost to Norwich’s Jonathan Thaxton in December 2006, said: "I have trained with John before and I know what a tough and strong kid he is. He has youth and size on his side and I’m sure that he will prove to be one of the toughest opponents that I have ever faced.

"But I am confident of winning the fight. I have got myself in great shape in training and I have the tools to stop him. I’m an all round better boxer than he is.

"I can’t even begin to describe how motivated I am for this fight. I remember how good it felt to win the title last time and I want that feeling again.

"I’m a much better fighter than I was the last time I won the title. The extra experience is invaluable."

Meager has been linked with a fight against rising star Amir Khan in the press in recent weeks.

He says that he accepted an offer to take on Khan before the Commonwealth lightweight champion and Olympic silver medalist defeated Michael Gomez last month.

Meager would jump at the chance to humble Khan, who has stated that he wants the Lonsdale Belt that Meager will be battling for tomorrow.

But Meager would like the opportunity to avenge his defeat to Thaxton even more.

Meager, who has lost just two of his 25 professional fights and now lives in London, said: "I agreed to fight Khan before the Gomez fight but his people never got back to me.

"That fight would have had less risk attached to it than the Murray one because fighting Murray will be much tougher than fighting Khan.

"But I am not thinking about Amir Khan. All I am thinking about is Murray. I want to get my title back and then move on to bigger and better things.

"I would love the chance to put right that defeat to Thaxton and there is a good chance of that fight happening.

"He has given up the British title to fight for the European title in September. If he was to win that then all the better. I could put the record straight and win the European title at the same time."