Martin Murray told Sky Sports' Ringside he's ready to grab his WBA Middleweight title shot even if it has come earlier than expected. Murray, 29, will fight Germany's Felix Sturm in his own backyard on December 3 having put together a run of 23 wins, 10 by knockout. With master tactician Oliver Harrison in his corner and promoter Ricky Hatton backing him all the way, the Commonwealth, British and WBA International titleholder is in bullish mood even if he believes Sturm will be out to put on a show.

"It's a massive opportunity and I plan on making the most of it," said Murray. "Ideally, if it had come in two, three maybe four fights time then, fair enough, I would have been a bit more prepared for it but the chance has come and I've taken it. I can't sit about and wait for a chance I might never get it again.

"I know I've got a hard fight in front of me. It's a massive task but I'm willing to go over there and I do believe I can do the job on him."

Sturm edged a split decision to beat Matthew Macklin in his last defence, in June, and Murray believes the German will be out to banish the memory of that performance this time around.

"When I watched the [Sturm v Macklin] fight I said I'd beat the pair of them and now I've got my chance. When he did let his shots go, he did look world class and I just think he timed himself better over the 12 rounds. I think Strum underestimated Macklin - he thought that the way he struggled against Ruben Veron - I just thought he'd make it an easier night's work than he did. He's not going to make that same mistake again; he's going to really want to put in a good show against me so he will be fighting at his best."