Martin Murray is confident that he can ‘shock a few people’ by defeating Germany’s WBA middleweight champion Felix Sturm (Murray 3/1, Sturm 1/4, Draw 25/1 – Bout 3 Way) in his own backyard in Mannheim on Friday evening.

The 29-year-old St Helens fighter currently boasts an unbeaten record from his 23 career fights which has secured him the British and Commonwealth titles.

However, many feel a world title shot against Sturm, who has held the WBA belt for five years, could be a bridge too far for him.

Murray insists that he is in the best condition of his fighting career following a 16-week camp with trainer Oliver Harrison in Salford.

Murray, who will jet off to the Caribbean to tie the knot with fiancee Gemma on December 7 – the wedding was scheduled before promoter Ricky Hatton secured the fight with Sturm – told BBC North West Tonight: “We’re hoping to shock a few people.

“I am the underdog but, even though people might be thinking it’s a step up in class, I belong at that level.”

He added: “It’s a genuine world title so it’s life-changing and good things can start happening for me.

“I’m in the best condition I’ve ever been in, so we’re really up for the fight and we really do believe we can go over there and beat him.”

Betfred are offering punters odds of 33/1 for Murray to beat Sturm and his namesake John Murray to defeat Brandon Rios as part of a boxing special this weekend.