ST HELENS middleweight Martin Murray is feeling on top of the world after signing a lucrative deal with South African promoters Golden Gloves.

And the two-time contender is already targeting a world title clash with big-hitting WBA champion Gennady Golovkin in November.

It is positive news at last for Murray, who despite being in his boxing prime, was seeing his career drift in the months since he sensationally rocked Sergio Martinez in Buenos Aires last April.

The 31-year-old from Fingerpost allowed his contract with Hatton Promotions expire at the end of February citing his disappointment at not getting bigger fights off the back of his terrific title displays against Felix Sturm and Martinez.

But his new promoter has already secured Murray three big fight dates in June, November and next February – all in Monte Carlo, with Golden Gloves vowing to move heaven and earth to ensure he gets a shot at WBA champion Golovkin.

A delighted Murray said: “I am absolutely made up. The most important thing is that it gives me direction, knowing that I have dates and fights to work towards instead of everything being in limbo.

“I am looking forward to the next chapter now.”

With three bouts set for Monaco in a nine-month spell, the Martin Murray Barmy Army will soon be calling for Monte Carlo to be twinned with Fingerpost.

So he is not going into the first of those cold, Murray has opted to take a warm-up bout against a yet to be named opponent in Germany.

“I am fighting on 12 April just to get me back in the swing of things – I have been advised against that fight given what is coming afterwards,” Murray said.

“But the following fight in June is going to be a good one, against a top ten ranked opponent and so I need to be firing on all cylinders, not shaking cobwebs off for four rounds and chasing the win.

“I have been so inactive over the years that I need the fight in April to get back in the swing of things.”

And if all goes well, Murray will have his third world title tilt in November.

“Golovkin is what we are aiming towards, as well as others, and we are hoping that will come off in November,” Murray said.