Rising British boxing star Alex Murphy has set his sights on a historic goal for his hometown: to become the first man to stage a major boxing event at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, home of Bolton Wanderers Football Club.
A Bolton Dream Bigger Than Boxing
In an exclusive interview, the 24-year-old fighter revealed that bringing a top-tier fight night to the Bolton FC pitch is a "massive dream." This ambition would see him achieve something that eluded even the town's most famous modern pugilist, Amir Khan. While Khan, who rose to fame in Bolton, fought in small hall shows locally, he never managed to headline at the town's football stadium before retiring in 2022.
Murphy, a lifelong Bolton fan, emphasised the personal significance of the goal. "I have been watching Bolton since the age of four. So, it means a lot to me that club and it’s part of my personality," he explained. "Nobody has ever fought on the pitch before, so, if I could do that, I would be the first… that would be a dream come true."
A Career-Defining Fight in Manchester
Before any stadium plans can materialise, Murphy must navigate a crucial hurdle. On January 24 in Manchester, he is scheduled to face the undefeated Josh Holmes on the undercard of the Moses Itauma vs Jermaine Franklin event. This bout, for the Commonwealth silver title, represents Murphy's debut on a major TV platform.
The fighter is acutely aware that this is a pivotal moment following back-to-back defeats to Khaleel Majid and Aqib Fiaz. "It’s a career defining fight. Everything is on the line," Murphy stated. A victory would propel him up the rankings, secure his place on bigger shows, and move him away from the small hall circuit. A loss, however, would force yet another rebuild. "There’s only so many times you can rebuild," he admitted.
Pressure and Propulsion
Murphy believes the high stakes will bring out his best performance. "I like having that pressure, because I think the pressure will keep me switched on," he said. He outlined the potential rewards of a win, which extend beyond titles to growing his fanbase and appeal to promoters. "I feel like get the win here and that is only going to go even bigger… The promoters then want you on their shows every time. So, it would secure that spot for me really which would be huge."
For now, the dream of a "Bolton bonanza" at the Toughsheet Stadium is on hold. All of Murphy's focus is on delivering an upset against Holmes at the Manchester event, taking the essential next step towards making his unique hometown ambition a reality.
