GOLDEN Gloves promoter Rodney Berman believes St Helens middleweight Martin Murray will give unbeaten world champion Gennady Golovkin the fight of his life.

Berman, who has had dealings with both men, expects a fantastic occasion in Monte Carlo on Saturday, February 21.

And he was quick to pay tribute to both boxers’ attitude – as well as that of Murray’s adviser Andrew Mikhail – in helping put the arrangements together for this showpiece event.

The Golden Gloves CEO said: “It was relatively easy to put the fight together.

“It was a very unique situation – both Golovkin and Murray are thorough gentlemen and K2 Promotions’ Tom Loeffler, on Golovkin’s side, is one of the most honourable guys I’ve had the pleasure of dealing with.

“Andrew Mikhail, Murray’s adviser, is of the same ilk. They understand the logistics. Outside of a Miguel Cotto or Canelo Alvarez fight, Murray against Golovkin was an obvious choice for international television and a great fans’ fight.”

Berman expects the 32-year-old from Fingerpost to give the highly-rated Golovkin his biggest test to date – and has already pointed to the list of boxing’s biggest shocks “The jury is still out to some extent on GGG’s super status. He hasn’t fought the superstars as yet.

“From what I’ve seen, all of his opponents, perhaps with the exception of Curtis Stevens, were defeated before they stepped foot in the ring.

“Murray, though, comes from a tough background. I will venture to say that he will be the first challenger who won’t be overwhelmed.

“He has true boxing skills and will also be the biggest middleweight Golovkin will have fought.

“Remember, Murray is probably a two-time uncrowned champion who gave a peak Sergio Martinez a very good fight,” said Berman.

Most boxing pundits rate Murray as a massive underdog – but Berman senses that this bout could join a famous list of the sport’s biggest upsets. And Murray will not be short of confidence going into it.

Berman said: “One of the reasons I give Murray a chance is that Golden Gloves has been involved in some of the biggest upsets in recent years – Hasim Rahman beating Lennox Lewis, Corrie Sanders knocking out Wladimir Klitschko, Harry Simon beating Winky Wright and Vuyani Bungu handling Kennedy McKinney. The list is uncanny.”

He added that there had been an “outstanding” take up by television.

“There has been much competition in various countries for the rights because it is seen as a proper fight. HBO in the US, Channel 5 in the UK, Chinese television and SuperSport across Africa will all be taking the fight, plus many more regions,” he said.