Boxing could help Murray

By Alistair Magowan

News that Andy Murray and Amir Khan have joined forces in Khan's boxing gym may give offer to a wry smile.

Murray and Khan go head-to-head in Manchester

After all, Murray has been unable to go the distance in some tennis matches this year, let alone five rounds with British boxing's shining light.

The meeting of the two 18-year-olds was organised for BBC Sports Personality of the Year but the pair have already become friends.

Outside of tennis, Murray regards boxing as his favourite sport and is as happy talking about former heavyweight champions as he is Grand Slams.

Indeed, Khan's former coach Mick Jelley thinks that pursuing his interest could have its advantages.

"Boxing training would be good for him," he told BBC Sport.

"The range of exercises would help his fitness but he'd need to sustain it over a long period of time.

AMIR KHAN v ANDY MURRAY 18------------Age------------18 Bolton-------Born----Dunblane 5'10"--------Height--------6'1" 137 lbs-----Weight-----150 lbs Lightweight--Div--Middleweight

"Lots of footballers use boxing as part of their training now and without doubt it gets you properly fit.

"We work solidly for two hours, whether it's floor exercises like press-ups and sit-ups, strength work or sparring.

"The work on the bags and balls would improve his timing too.

"I think once Andy gets to a high fitness level, he's going to win things. That's the only thing that's missing from his game."

Like many boxing trainers, Jelley believes in working from the ground upwards and thinks that Murray's problems lie in the lack of strength in his legs.

But he recognises that Murray is still growing and has time on his side to compete with the more battle-hardened professionals.

"In my view everything comes from the floor," said Jelley. "You've got to work on your legs first - if your legs are no good your body is no good.

It's like he's going out and fighting a world title fight every time he plays a Grand Slam Mick Jelley on Andy Murray

"That's why Andy's been cramping up in longer five-set matches.

"Mind you, he is out there for three hours whereas a 12-round fight is only an hour.

"It's like he's going out and fighting a world title every time he plays a Grand Slam.

"Amir is fortunate in that he will go up to six rounds and then eight rounds next year - it's a gradual process.

"Andy hasn't got that advantage. He's thrown in at the deep end against guys who've been on the tour for years."

Whatever Khan's advantages Jelley has been impressed by Murray's rise this year and thinks he could easily take his boxing interest further.

He said: "Andy's got a will to get to the top and a will to win. I've been enthralled by him when I've seen him.

"Sportsman generally have a good idea how to move in the ring. I think I could teach him quite quickly how to handle himself.

"I think he'd enjoy himself. If he enjoys hard work then he'd like it. That's what boxing is all about."

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