Former British, Commonwealth and European lightweight champion and WBC no.2 contender John Murray of Manchester has reunited with the trainer who took him to a 31-0 record prior to his first pro defeat in July against Kevin Mitchell. Murray has reconciled with Gallagher, who is now helping him prepare for his WBA lightweight challenge against Brandon Rios in Madison Square Garden on December 3. 

''I think it is the right move.'' said Murray to BoxingScene.com's UK editor Terry Dooley.  ''I thought about it and felt it was the right decision because Joe knows me better than anyone else boxing-wise and we’ve had eight-and-a-half-years together in the pros.  I realized after going back and training with Joe again that it was the right move.  We know each other inside and out so it is good to be back together.''

''We’ve been watching tapes, coming up with strategy and are getting the right sparring partners in.  Joe is really thorough in the way he goes about things.  When I’m resting between training sessions I know that Joe will be looking at Rios.  Joe watches tapes, studies opponents inside and out and I know Joe well enough to have confidence that he’ll go away, come up with the best tactics and help me win the fight.''

Joe Gallagher has emerged in recent years as one of the most successful, high-profile trainers in Britain today, initially on the strength of his achievements through Murray's ring successes. His stable of fighters now includes world ranked middleweight Matthew Macklin, British champions Scott Quigg and Anthony Crolla and hot prospects like Joe Murray (younger brother of John). 

However, it was John Murray who was the jewel in the Gallagher crown, but following the crushing disappointment of losing to Mitchell on an eighth round TKO in a bout he was favored to win, Murray decided to split with Gallagher, and picked his manager Mike Marsden as his trainer.

Last month came the suprise announcement that Murray's longtime promoter Frank Warren had landed him a shot at WBA lightweight champion Brandon Rios. The American had initially wanted to fight Mitchell, but as the Londoner could not obtain a visa to fight in the US due to his ongoing legal issues, Warren, who handles both Murray and Mitchell, was quick to secure Murray in his place. The result is a gilt-edged opportunity for the Manchester man to win a world title, when his career had looked in tatters. 

After much soul-searching, Murray decided that on the most important night of his life, he wanted the man who had been with him throughout all of the highs and lows of his professional career to be in his corner – Joe Gallagher.

Now the two are back together again, hand picking sparring partners and working out the perfect ring strategy to defeat 25 year old Rios, something no one has yet done in 29 fights (29 wins, one draw, 21 KO's). 

The cocky, super confident California based Texan is a seven year pro veteran, having started in the punch-for-pay ranks when he was just eighteen. His breakout victory was a ten round split decision over future two-time world title challenger Ricardo Dominguez of Mexico in 2008. 

In September 2010 Rios faced big punching Anthony Peterson in a WBA lightweight title eliminator. The story of the Peterson brothers (older brother Lamont will fight Amir Khan for the WBA/IBF light welterweight titles on December 10) had been well-documented in the US media. While young children growing up in Washington, D.C., their drug dealing father's lengthy spells in prison resulted in a house with no electricity or water.

Anthony, Lamont and their ten other siblings were left to fend for themselves, with Lamont and Anthony choosing to hit the streets. Sleeping in abandoned cars, and begging during the day, they soon drifted into petty crime to survive. They were discovered by boxing trainer Barry Hunter, who took them under his wing and still trains both men today. It was the kind of feelgood story that the media loves, and the stage was set perfectly for a Peterson win. 

Except Rios didn't read the script. 

Boxing beautifully, Rios was leading on all three scorecards when a frustrated Peterson was disqualified in the seventh for repeated low blows. He hasn't fought since. 

Rios went on to win the WBA lightweight title earlier this year with a tenth round TKO over Venezuelan Miguel Acosta, and has since defended it against Mexican Urbano Antillon with a third round knockout. The 5'8'' Rios combines powerful punching with slick moves and good boxing skills. He will be without doubt the biggest challenge and toughest test Murray has faced in his career. With Joe Gallagher in his corner, he just might pull it off!

Big Fight Odds: John Murray 6/1, Brandon Rios 1/12  bet365