Arum begins talks for N'Dam-Murata

Bob Arum is looking around the world to stage a fight between interim WBA middleweight champion Hassan N'Dam (35-2, 21 KO's) and undefeated No. 2 world-rated contender Ryota Murata (12-0, 9 KO's).

"While N'Dam wants the fight to take place in France, Mr. Honda and I think this fight would do extremely well in Japan and we are pulling out all stops in trying to bring it there," said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. "Since winning Olympic gold in 2012, Ryota has developed a rabid fan base in Japan and we think those fans deserve to see their hero fight for his first professional world title. It would be a sensational event in Japan."

The fight would be a huge test for Murata who won the Gold Medal in the 2012 Olympics. N'Dam has been in the ring with some of the top guys in the division and has won four straight since losing to David Lemieux in 2015.