Dunne tips Murray for the top

World boxing champion Bernard Dunne has given Cavan fighter Andy Murray his seal of approval as both prepare for title defences this month in the 02 Arena. In an exclusive interview with The Anglo Celt, Dubliner Dunne stated that 26-year-old Murray has "all the ability in the world" and can go a long way in the professional game. "Andy is still a young lad, as long as they don't rush him Andy will develop perfectly," WBA Super-bantamweight champ Dunne said. "It's just about when he gets that opportunity, being able to capitalise on it." The 'sweet science' of boxing, of course, is a murky business, with politics and connections often playing as important a role in finding the right fights as talent and hard work does. After a period of inactivity due to managerial problems (Murray orignially signed for St Alban's-based Mickey Helliet), the Ard na Greine man is now boxing out of the Brian Peters stable and is finally getting the high-profile fights befitting his talent and pedigree. Dunne agrees that, in pro boxing, timing and seizing an opportunity when it arises are half the battle. "It's finding the right time. People are always saying he needs to fight this or he needs to fight that, Andy needs to do what's good for him and that's all that matters. "You don't just jump in to world title fights, you don't just jump in to European title fights, you work your way up and when you're ready for them, then you take them." Asked how far he envisages EU champion Murray progressing, Dunne was adamant that the Cavan man has all the tools required to make a major impact at international level. The Cavan Town man currently holds the EU Lightweight belt and Meath native Peters has stated that he intends to steer him in the direction of the full European title, current held by Frenchman Anthony Mezaache, further down the line. How high Murray reaches depends on himself, says Dunne, who faces the Thai Poonsawat on September 26 in his first defence of the belt he won by sensationally knocking out Ricardo Cordoba last March. "It really is completely down to Andy, how far he wants to push himself and how far he's willing to take it," he said. "Because he's got all the ability in the world, it's just applying that ability and applying himself in training that will work out for him. "He seems to be enjoying it, he seems to be getting active which is the main thing, keeping active." The fight against Italian Pasquale di Silvio, a 30-year-old from Rome with a 10-1 (4 KO's) record, will be Murray's most high profile assignment to date. With guaranteed TV coverage and an anticipated full house at the 02, Murray must seize the moment, according to Dunne. "Now that he's chief support to me in the 02, he's going to get plenty of exposure and when you get that, you need to impress," said the Neilstown man. "He's getting TV time and there's going to be a lot of people watching him and when he impresses, people will say 'Jesus, he's good', that's when people remember you and start to support you." Tickets for the fight are available from Cavan Boxing Club.