John Murray and Michael Jennings will get the chance to add to a glorious year for boxing in Manchester.

British lightweight king, Murray, will face Gary Buckland for the European title in May, while Jennings has been given a shot at John O'Donnell for the vacant British welterweight crown.

If both are successful, it will add to an incredible year for the city, with Matthew Hatton, Denton Vassell and Craig Watson all claiming titles already in 2010.

For Murray it is a fourth attempt to finalise a bout for the European belt, having seen fights with Anthony Mezaache, Andrei Kudriatsev and Lee McAllister all fall through since last October.

But with a date of May 7 set - subject to approval of the European Boxing Union - the 25-year-old's frustrating wait finally looks to be over.

Murray's British title will also be on the line, giving him the chance to win the Lonsdale belt outright.

"I can't wait to show people what they've been missing," he said. "By the time I get into the ring it will have been seven months, so I'm just eager to get back in there.

Important

"We will make sure no stone is unturned and I'm top of my game.

"It is a really important fight for me. It's not only for the European title, but for the Lonsdale belt as well.

"I was getting fed up. I was beginning to think I'd never fight again, but if I win this then the next step is a world title."

Jennings has also had to bide his time for a shot at the British title after seeing his proposed clash with Kell Brook postponed last October. Injury then prevented him from taking the rearranged fight in March.

But Brook's decision to vacate the title has seen the British Boxing Board of Control install Jennings as the number one contender with O'Donnell.

Purse bids have been set for May 12 with the fight to take place before the end of July.

It will be Jennings first title fight since his fifth-round knockout by Miguel Cotto for the vacant WBO belt in February last year.

O'Donnell was a controversial winner over Watson last year when winning the Commonwealth title on a much-disputed split decision.

Jennings, 32, just can't wait to get back in the ring after more than 12 months in the shadows since defeat to Cotto.

His clash with O'Donnell will be his first 12-rounder since stepping out at Madison Square Garden.

"It's been frustrating," he said. "I kept getting asked when I'd fight again.

Clash

"Kell pulled out of the first fight then I had to pull out of the second.

"Since then I've just been waiting. I'm not getting any younger. I want to be fighting for titles and not just plodding on.

"It's all right doing eight-rounders to keep ticking over, but you need proper fights."

Murray's clash with Buckland is provisionally set for Altrincham although that is yet to be confirmed. If not there, Leigh and Wigan have been lined up as alternative venues.

Murray is aiming to join Hatton as a European champion after Ricky's younger brother claimed the welterweight crown with victory over Gianluca Branco in March.

Last Friday Vassell defeated Lee Purdy for Commonwealth welterweight crown, while Watson's stunning second-round knockout of Badru Lusambya saw him clinch the Commonwealth light-middleweight crown despite having never fought at that weight.

HOSEA Burton beat Ryan Aston on points in the ABA National quarter finals on Sunday. He now meets 2002 and 2003 National ABA champion, Neil Perkins in the semis.

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