Cromer boxer Liam Walsh to defend Commonwealth crown at Copper Box

Cromer's Liam Walsh will put one belt on the line and challenge for another when he steps into the ring again in September.

Walsh will defend his Commonwealth super-featherweight title against Manchester's Joe Murray at the grand opening of the Copper Box Arena – which was the handball arena for last summer's Olympics – with the vacant WBO Intercontinental belt also on the line.

Walsh was involved in a thriller against world champion Scott Harrison in April and beat the gritty Scotsman on points to claim the WBO European lightweight title, but steps back down to super-feather for the showdown with Murray.

'After coming off a career best win against Harrison, I'm heading straight into a clash against a good unbeaten challenger in Joe,' said Walsh, who fights out of the Kickstop Gym in Norwich.

'I'll have fantastic support with me on the night as I do for all my fights and the Copper Box will be rocking from the noise my crowd will make.

'I've had cracking battles against Paul Appleby and Harrison in the capital and this will be no different.'

Murray – whose brother John was a former British and European lightweight champion and coincidentally the last man that one of Walsh's trainers, Jon Thaxton, fought – challenges for the second pro title in his career and reckons he'll end Walsh's winning run, which stands at 14.

Murray said: 'This is a step up for me, but I'm ready for the challenge and I know I can beat Walsh and take the title.

'You can't question his heart, he loves to fight and he's got great skill. I believe in my own ability and this is my moment to prove it.'