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Last Updated: Tuesday, 3 April 2007, 18:15 GMT 19:15 UK
O'Donnell, Murray get Vegas bouts
boxing
British prospects John O'Donnell and John Murray are to fight on the Oscar de la Hoya-Floyd Mayweather undercard at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on 5 May.

O'Donnell is a former junior Olympic gold medallist and current English welterweight champion while Murray is a former WBC Youth lightweight champion.

They are both promoted by Mick Hennessy, who has links with De la Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions.

"It has always been my ambition to box in Las Vegas," said O'Donnell.

Meanwhile, O'Donnell has voiced his frustration at being frozen out of the British welterweight title picture.

The unbeaten Londoner, 21, had an impressive win over Stuart Elwell last Friday to claim the English title.

Hatton's team have talked about making this and that eliminator for a while now, but everything goes quiet when my name is mentioned

John O'Donnell

But it seems he will have to wait for the British crown to be contested on two more occasions before he gets a crack at the Lonsdale belt.

"I'm upset about this situation," said O'Donnell. "Where no-one would face me, I've been keen for a final eliminator."

Current champion Kevin Anderson meets Belfast veteran Eamonn Magee in Kirkcaldy next month and the next challenger is already being lined up, with Ross Minter meeting Colin McNeil on 26 May in a final eliminator.

"I feel that I am more deserving than Minter," added O'Donnell. "I have been prepared to fight anyone.

"He had the English title, but never defended it. He pulled out of two fights against Alan Bosworth with different injuries.

"Then he was meant to defend against me, but gave up the title instead. It feels a bit like he's been rewarded for avoiding me.

"It doesn't really make any sense. Now I have to sit here and watch him in a final eliminator.

"If his fight with McNeil is going ahead, we are going to ask the British Boxing Board to put me in another final eliminator straightaway, with the winner fighting for the title within 90 days of the next two defences.

"I would love it to be against Matthew Hatton. His team have talked about making this and that eliminator for a while now, but everything goes quiet when my name is mentioned.

"He wants to get real. I have seen the talk about him fighting Arturo Gatti when he's been avoiding me.

"I've had half the fights Hatton's had and I am four years younger, so come on, here I am."

O'Donnell is a former Junior Olympic gold medallist and a two-time Junior ABA champion.



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