"Hopefully we will get him out early again next year. There are a couple of things lined up for early in the New Year including Paul McCloskey (first European title defence)."

"Murray is one of the hottest prospects in Irish boxing and he is at a stage of his career where he won’t be getting too many easy fights."

Murray, who had been out of the ring since March having suffered a fractured collarbone in September, needs to be sharper – something he accepts. He said: "I’m just glad to be back and with a wee bit more work on the shoulder I’ll be faster, sharper and stronger.

"It (the injury) wasn’t a problem in the fight but you are always conscious of it. In training you are a bit worried that you aren’t getting enough sparring. But I’ll be back early in the New Year."