WARRINGTON-based world title contender Martin Murray has explained his reasons for moving up a division to super middleweight.

The 32-year-old, who has signed up with Barry Hearn’s Matchroom promotion team, will have his first fight at his new weight at Liverpool’s Echo Arena a week on Friday.

This eight rounder, classed as a tune-up fight, is Murray’s first outing since his brave world title challenge against the invincible Gennady Golovkin in February.

He has got his sights fixed firmly on some juicer fights further down the line, ones he can take without going through the torture of shedding weight to make the 160lbs limit.

Murray said: “It is not going to be big, with it being a last minute thing, but the big ones will come further down the line.

“We have always said that I would make a better super middle than a middleweight.

“Those last couple of pounds always kill me. Losing those last few drained a bit of my strength, so we have always said that is where my future is at super middle.

“It is not about putting 8lbs on, more it is about not taking 8lbs off. It means that it will be a bigger, better and healthier me.

“I am looking forward to the new weight and the division that I am in.”

He has good reason to look forward to the switch, having had three game but ultimately unsuccessful cracks at winning a world middleweight belt.

Murray moves into a division packed with big domestic names, who have all already made or are still making strides on the world stage and he is relishing the prospect of locking horns with those.

“Domestically and on the world stage the super middleweight division is absolutely buzzing so there is going to be some good times ahead,” he said.

“These are exciting times and I want to be involved in the big fights and they are here in Britain – Carl Froch, although he may retire, James De Gale and George Groves.”

Having had his last four fights overseas, three in Monte Carlo and another in South Africa, Murray delighted to be fighting back on home soil and will take a big following to Liverpool.

“As soon as the Liverpool date announced it just went mental with people coming who have never been before and others who have not been for years.

“It is just unbelievable the support. It has been expensive for fans going over to Monte Carlo, with tickets, flights and hotels and all that carry on.

“It is going to be good fighting and that buzz is there again that I had been missing for the ones before Golovkin.

“I am made up to be fighting so close to home,” he said.