By Anthony Cocks
WBO number four ranked super middleweight Rohan ‘No Mercy’ Murdock 24-1 (17) will headline a card on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia in June ahead of a likely world title shot later in the year.
The fight, against an opponent to be named, will be the first time Murdock has boxed in his hometown in almost half a decade.
“I haven’t fought locally for five years now. So for me it’s about getting the local support behind me and fighting in front of my friends and family,” the 26-year-old Murdock said to 7 News. DDP Sports, who promote Murdock, want to build the Queenslander’s profile in his hometown ahead of a planned world title run. With WBO champion Gilberto Ramirez 39-0 (25) widely expected to move up a weight class this year, DDP Sports are looking to position their WBO Oriental championto fight for the title.
“We want that homecoming fight in June for Rohan to really get the Gold Coast behind him,” said Paul Keegan of DDP Sports.
“Rohan will possibly go to three, maybe two [in the rankings], and there’s a very strong possibility he will get the opportunity to fight for a vacant world title.”
Brisbane-based DDP Sports, who also promote WBO 154-pound mandatory contender Dennis Hogan, understand the value of creating a local draw card and want to establish the Murdock brand in his own backyard.
“Love to do something down here every quarter. Once a quarter there should be a fairly big show on the Gold Coast, that’s our focus,” continued Keegan.
“We want to make him Gold Coast world champion – not Queensland world champion, but Gold Coast world champion.
“We are in discussions with three of four venues at the moment to see who can host it, because we do want it make it a celebration of boxing here.”
