ST HELENS boxer Martin Murray will fight Sergio Martinez for the WBC middleweight title in Argentina on April 27, it has been confirmed.

Murray, 30, has been rewarded for his win over Jorge Navarro in Manchester last month when he claimed the WBA interim belt.

It is thought the bout could draw a crowd of 40,000 and be screened to an audience of 40 million in Argentina alone, where Martinez is a national hero.

Murray’s last world title challenge ended in disappointment when he drew with Felix Sturm in 2011 in Germany.

Promoter Ricky Hatton said: "These are very exciting times for Martin. It has been a work in progress for him.

"I think that it is a credit to Hatton Promotions for making make such fights for him. We have come a long way in a short space of time."

Martinez, who beat Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in September to win the belt, has defeated Darren Barker and Matthew Macklin in previous fights.