How do you see Murray/Meager going?

[GlobalBox]

Decent little fight for Jonno's vacant belt, Murray has looked a little jaded of late but surely he will be up for this big style. I think if he produces the form of a couple of years ago he wins this one, probably favour him 70/30 over Meager.

However, if Lee gets into the fight and Murray starts poorly its quite likely this will be very hard work for John.

Should be a decent little fight, I think barring cuts (which may well happen) its a distance fight on current form.

[bennie]

Manchester rivals John Murray and Lee Meager square off for the British lightweight title made vacant by Jon Thaxton.
Dateline is Friday July 11; venue, the Robin Park Arena in Wigan.
Murray is unbeaten in 24 fights since turning pro as a teenager in 2003. He looked great in the early years but has struggled recently and busted up in his last two outings, although his workrate and will-to-win pulled him through. It is hard to knock an unbeaten fighter but 23-year-old John, a former Young Boxer of the Year from Levenshulme, needs a big performance.
Meager brings a real edge in experience with wins over the likes of Charles Shepherd, Michael Muya and Martin Watson and a controversial points loss to Danny Hunt after 10 thrilling rounds in 2004, in one of the fights of that year. Moreover, the 30-year-old Salford man held this title for seven months in 2006, a title he won by stopping tall Scot Dave Stewart in six rounds, officially on cuts but Lee was well on top, before dropping the belt to Thaxton on a comprehensive decision in December 2006. Thaxton is a perennial threat, of course.
Plagued with fragile hands, Meager has boxed only twice since and was held to a surprise eight-round draw last time out in December by unheralded Mexican Jose Alberto Gonzalez in the States (on the same bill Murray struggled to outscore another Mexican, Miguel Angel Munguia, over 10 rounds). Meager, too, is due a big performance but works well to the body and probably possesses more finer touches than the hardworking Murray, although he could certainly have done with a fight since.
Murray went eight hard rounds in May.
This will undoubtedly be exciting, with two strong, pressure fighters going at it, two promotional stablemates in the Mick Hennessy camp. It could be a war, in fact, given the history of stablemate showdowns, both men marking up quite badly and swapping big punches. Murray has the winning touch but ultimately Meager looks to have the greater quality.
A confident pick? No.

[Ash-Weston]

Hope Murray lose's! He has been spoon fed nobodys to date and nearly lost to Al Hamidi. Come on Meager knock out this overrated bum!!!

[Coco]

Ithink Murray comes of age and wins well in 7

[hitman_hatton1]

yea i favour murray pretty heavily here.

middle to late rds stoppage.

then bring on amir at the men. :)

[Wales]

Murray and big

[Poncey]

Murray and big

Agreed. C'mon John!

[Autobarn]

With 2 aggressors in there I have to go with Murray. When he warms into it he'll be the more accurate and I don't think he'll take as many flush shots as Lee. I see him coping well inside and grinding Lee down. Likely he'll raise his performance to the occasion and take over during the 2nd half, showing ppl how good he really is.

[THEBUTCH]

Cracking matchup. This one's going to be a very tough slog for both of them.

It's time for Murray to deliver and Meager will be asking all the questions we want answered about John.

Another 50/50 for the British title, but I just sway Murray's way with his speedy workrate.

[Captain Hook]

Murray, but won't be as cut and dry. Probably points.

[Dioufy]

Murray on points and then Khan in September - Khan TKO11 as well.

[Chambers2]

My money will be going on Meager..... if the odds are decent enough. I feel that Murray ships too much punishment and Meager will stop him late on. Cracking fight!!

[El Raincoat]

Good solid fight.

I was very unimpressed with Murray against Al Hamidi. I hope that was more to do with him being flat than a look into what the future holds for him.

[stujones]

Tough fight to call - I think had this been the Meager of pre Thaxton then I think he would beat Murray - but Meager hasn't looked good recently either.

What I do predict is a fight in which neither look particularly impressive (e.g. like Barnes vs Bami recently).

[DG.]

Meager on points. Murray is too face first.

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

Meager on points. Murray is too face first.

Just going in to work DG? Here in South Korea it is approaching hometime! 8)

[DG.]

Meager on points. Murray is too face first.

Just going in to work DG? Here in South Korea it is approaching hometime! 8)

I am having breakfast and chilling.

So, you off to the local lady boy bar?

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

Meager on points. Murray is too face first.

Just going in to work DG? Here in South Korea it is approaching hometime! 8)

I am having breakfast and chilling.

So, you off to the local lady boy bar?

Later on - while you are still at work!

[Lenny]

Tough fight to call - I think had this been the Meager of pre Thaxton then I think he would beat Murray - but Meager hasn't looked good recently either.

What I do predict is a fight in which neither look particularly impressive (e.g. like Barnes vs Bami recently).

I dunno, I can't see this being a bad fight personally. Both like to fight in close so hopefully too much time won't be taken up in the clinch. I'll go with Murray with no confidence at all. The Hickman fight should be good prep for this but I can't forget that performance last time around. Meager has been waiting for this shot and i'm not sure he'll get too many others with Fewkes and the like coming through.

Murray late stoppage.

[Autobarn]

One thing worth considering. Both get on with each other well and know each other very well from sparring. Fights between friends can be great, or dull. I believe they'll go at it with killer instinct, still, because they are aggressive fighters and they are getting a great opportunity, fighting for their careers.

[stujones]

Tough fight to call - I think had this been the Meager of pre Thaxton then I think he would beat Murray - but Meager hasn't looked good recently either.

What I do predict is a fight in which neither look particularly impressive (e.g. like Barnes vs Bami recently).

I dunno, I can't see this being a bad fight personally. Both like to fight in close so hopefully too much time won't be taken up in the clinch. I'll go with Murray with no confidence at all. The Hickman fight should be good prep for this but I can't forget that performance last time around. Meager has been waiting for this shot and i'm not sure he'll get too many others with Fewkes and the like coming through.

Murray late stoppage.

Yes, it might be a good fight - but I think big holes will be seen in both men. Both men have looked decidely beatable recently, and I think this will still be seen when they fight.

[oldenglishcider]

Murray is my pick