BoxRec

The fight is part of a world title double header as Terry Flanagan steps up in weight to face Maurice Hooker for the WBO super lightweight championship.

Billy Joe Saunders will defend his WBO world middleweight title in a ‘Battle of Britain’ against Martin Murray on April 14, exclusively live on BT Sport.

Saunders said: ‘Martin Murray is a good fighter and I have got the greatest of respect for him. But he’s in the way of what I’m aiming for this year and that is to become Undisputed Middleweight World Champion. He’s coming try and win my world title and I’m sure it’s going to be a good fight!’

The St. Helen’s man said, ‘I rate Billy Joe as a fighter, he’s one of slickest out there and he is coming off of a great win and will be very confident. But I’m very confident, this is my time to become World Champion, as it’s the only thing I have left to do.'

there not letting bjs get much time off to go off the rails are they

his record will start looking as good as gggs soon

How has Martin Murray got another world title shot

yep murray

When this was mooted last week I was uninspired and thought it was a waste of time, but now I can see the sense from all sides. Keeps BJS active which we have moaned about, better this than sitting on the shelf. Keeps him busy and fresh while GGG v Canelo plays out and leaves him still unbeaten to fight the winner when that dust settles.

Sure a more competitive fight would be better but realistically, he does not that at this moment in time

ya i mean it makes sense for those involved but its still

That's got me thinking - I wonder what the record is for unsuccessful World title attempts?

bripez wrote: ↑19 Jan 2018, 13:10 That's got me thinking - I wonder what the record is for unsuccessful World title attempts?

Paul Smith has 3, Groves had 3 before finally winning.

Herol Graham had 4..

Not sure about Kevin Mitchell.. Maybe just 1

back to square one then,even if Saunders came in unfit Murray would still not stand a chance.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑19 Jan 2018, 13:15

bripez wrote: ↑19 Jan 2018, 13:10 That's got me thinking - I wonder what the record is for unsuccessful World title attempts?

Paul Smith has 3, Groves had 3 before finally winning.

Herol Graham had 4..

Not sure about Kevin Mitchell.. Maybe just 1

McCallum,Jackson and Brewer,who was the 4th ?

bigjack wrote: ↑19 Jan 2018, 13:18

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑19 Jan 2018, 13:15

bripez wrote: ↑19 Jan 2018, 13:10 That's got me thinking - I wonder what the record is for unsuccessful World title attempts?

Paul Smith has 3, Groves had 3 before finally winning.

Herol Graham had 4..

Not sure about Kevin Mitchell.. Maybe just 1

McCallum,Jackson and Brewer,who was the 4th ?

My mistake. It's just the three!

This is Murray's fourth!

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑19 Jan 2018, 13:24

bigjack wrote: ↑19 Jan 2018, 13:18

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑19 Jan 2018, 13:15

Paul Smith has 3, Groves had 3 before finally winning.

Herol Graham had 4..

Not sure about Kevin Mitchell.. Maybe just 1

McCallum,Jackson and Brewer,who was the 4th ?

My mistake. It's just the three!

This is Murray's fourth!

5th i think.

Sturm,Martinez,GGG,Abraham now Saunders

Mitchell has Katsidis, Burns, Linares?

murray had serg, ggg, sturm, abraham, now this

5

Murray

Yeh, I missed out Sturm because it ended a draw. regardless though, was a world title challenge.

How much of an upset would this be IF Murray wins!

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑19 Jan 2018, 13:34 How much of an upset would this be IF Murray wins!

If it was a year ago in the Scottish leisure centre Murray may have won it,now though would be a massive upset.

Could Murray win if BJ is not motivated as he has not been in the past

Easy, easy win for Bill

bigjack wrote: ↑19 Jan 2018, 13:28

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑19 Jan 2018, 13:24

bigjack wrote: ↑19 Jan 2018, 13:18

McCallum,Jackson and Brewer,who was the 4th ?

My mistake. It's just the three!

This is Murray's fourth!

5th i think.

Sturm,Martinez,GGG,Abraham now Saunders

Without checking, I thought this was Murrays 5th - Clinton Woods won it on his 4th attempt

This is BJS's 3rd fight in 8 months!

This'll be dull. Murray will keep a high guard, and not do a lot throughout the fight. Saunders will likely do just enough to take each round, and against the passive Murray it won't take much.

I look for Saunders to win a 117-111, 116-112 type decision here. The rounds Murray wins will be the rounds when Billy's half assing it.

BJS keeping active, Murray is #9 in the boxrec.com rankings, I am fine with this.