John Murray is Conflicted on His Future in Boxing

[gobbles]

It's not been confirmed yet.

http://www.BS.com/?m=show&id=18546

It's on May 1 in Vegas

[Old bones Ian]

Guzman , i don't like him. Hope Romanov does the business there.

[chinny]

Guzman - Romanov is a terrific fight. If it really is May 1st in Vegas, it would be an excellent starter to Hatton - Pacman.
Both the kind of fighters I can't imagine being beaten.

[Lenny]

Will be interesting to see the odds in the US for this, how much will they have seen of Romanov? A look at his record shows that loss to Earl who then started struggling with everyone.

I expect Guzman to win think his slickness may be all wrong for Romanov, but we know he can go through lazy periods in fights, and Romanov definitely has the class to take advantage of that and make it close. Lets hope everyone makes weight okay.

[whiteboy]

IMO Murray has to wait 6 months for a fight because of tv dates - also Hennessy needs a headline act "to fill out" his tv dates and Murray can be classed as such as he's a British champion.

This seems to be the disadvantage of the deal with ITV1/4.

If Hennessy was still with Sky, I'm sure he could of had Murray out on a routine defense on a Friday night, with minimal undercard. ITV seem to require some huge event with English titles, etc to bulk it up. Much more money & organisation needed I guess. Seems to be the same thing happening with Elcock, hasn't exactly been busy since signing with Hennessy....what it is it, 2 rounds in his mandatory challenger's backyard?

[Lenny]

Will be interesting to see the odds in the US for this, how much will they have seen of Romanov? A look at his record shows that loss to Earl who then started struggling with everyone.

I expect Guzman to win think his slickness may be all wrong for Romanov, but we know he can go through lazy periods in fights, and Romanov definitely has the class to take advantage of that and make it close. Lets hope everyone makes weight okay.

Earl fought out of his skin that night, and probably left the best of himself in the ring. Romanov had been inactive and it took him an age to come alive. When he did he landed the cleaner shots.

Guzman will fail to make weight, only this time his opponent will need to take the fight.

We know that Terry, but i'm wondering if Guzman will be a strong favorite for the bookies, I think Romanov has a decent shout at this. I still had Romanov winning the Earl fight even though he was well below par and clearly rusty.

[Lightsoot]

Very interesting interview and I agree with both Murray's frustrations and the consensus of views that Hennessy needs to get him more active.

I'm not defending Hennessy, but one or two have referred to the challenging economic crisis that is currently affecting us all. Didn't Hennessy's decision not to make Thaxton-Murray boil down to the fact that promoting Thaxton against an opponent he should have beaten in Norwich represent better financial prudence for Mick at this time?

I'm guessing putting Thaxton on in Norwich with local lads on the undercard guaranteed Mick good ticket sales. It also should have guaranteed Mick a routine win for his fighter, it may have elevated Thaxton towards a world title tilt which in turn would have probably secured another TV date with ITV. Was it in Hennessy's interests to match Thaxton against Murray with the likelihood being a Murray win would have derailed the momentum Hennessy has been building in Norwich with the likes of Thaxton, Hide and McIntosh? It's shortsightedness but it may explain Hennessy's reluctance.

I could be wrong but Murray doesn't strike me as a major ticketseller. How many turned up to watch him at Wigan taking away McAllister's travelling army? I doubt Murray would shift more tickets for a show in the North West than Thaxton would in Norwich at the moment. This could simply be because poor John hasn't been given the platform to really build his profile. Also, Hennessy's stable is currently a little short of headline fighters to fill regular TV dates as part of his ITV 4 contract. It was obviously easier for Hennessy to stage Murray (in January) and Thaxton (in Feb) on separate cards to fill two separate television dates.

I hope Murray lands the fights he wants and is more active this year. Becoming British champion doesn't necessarily elevate you onto bigger and better things and it may at times become more of a hindrance than a help. Jamie Moore being the obvious example.

[Spud]

Very interesting interview and I agree with both Murray's frustrations and the consensus of views that Hennessy needs to get him more active.

I'm not defending Hennessy, but one or two have referred to the challenging economic crisis that is currently affecting us all. Didn't Hennessy's decision not to make Thaxton-Murray boil down to the fact that promoting Thaxton against an opponent he should have beaten in Norwich represent better financial prudence for Mick at this time?

I'm guessing putting Thaxton on in Norwich with local lads on the undercard guaranteed Mick good ticket sales. It also should have guaranteed Mick a routine win for his fighter, it may have elevated Thaxton towards a world title tilt which in turn would have probably secured another TV date with ITV. Was it in Hennessy's interests to match Thaxton against Murray with the likelihood being a Murray win would have derailed the momentum Hennessy has been building in Norwich with the likes of Thaxton, Hide and McIntosh? It's shortsightedness but it may explain Hennessy's reluctance.

I could be wrong but Murray doesn't strike me as a major ticketseller. How many turned up to watch him at Wigan taking away McAllister's travelling army? I doubt Murray would shift more tickets for a show in the North West than Thaxton would in Norwich at the moment. This could simply be because poor John hasn't been given the platform to really build his profile. Also, Hennessy's stable is currently a little short of headline fighters to fill regular TV dates as part of his ITV 4 contract. It was obviously easier for Hennessy to stage Murray (in January) and Thaxton (in Feb) on separate cards to fill two separate television dates.

I hope Murray lands the fights he wants and is more active this year. Becoming British champion doesn't necessarily elevate you onto bigger and better things and it may at times become more of a hindrance than a help. Jamie Moore being the obvious example.

Completely correct Murray is not a ticket seller!!

Have to say after a little bit of a lull in his career you have to be impressed how strong he has looked in recent fights - he almost bullies his opponents into submission.

Anyone concerend about Murrays defensive qualities!!!

Will repeat - definitely impressed recently - I hope the lad does wall and props to him for having the balls to speak out.

[Autobarn]

The thing is, how can he be a ticket seller? When he's had two fights where he was the headliner? Lot of Murray's fights were Froch undrercard, Witter undercard, etc. How do you build a fan base down the bill of those fighters? Hatton obviously the biggest ticket seller and he did it by being exciting on the undercards of popular Manchester fighters.

re Ben Carey that Thaxton v Mezache was a likely routine win. Previous fights (Lawton, Stewart) have shown us that winning a title defence is not routine for Thaxton. At Euro level it was that bit harder and he lost (despite bad luck in 1st round when M spat out gumshield). And the fight itself supported this.

[Spud]

The thing is, how can he be a ticket seller? When he's had to fights where he was the headliner? Lot of Murray's fights were Froch undrercard, Witter undercard, etc. How do you build a fan base down the bill of those fighters? Hatton obviously the biggest ticket seller and he did it by being exciting on the undercards of popular Manchester fighters.

re Ben Carey that Thaxton v Mezache was a likely routine win. Previous fights (Lawton, Stewart) have shown us that winning a title defence is not routine for Thaxton. At Euro level it was that bit harder and he lost (despite bad luck in 1st round when M spat out gumshield). And the fight itself supported this.

????

You are on the wrong track Autobarn - many promoters will put fighters on the undercards of big shows by the very virtue they are ticket sellers or at least good at the stage of their career - W arren is a past master at it especially when he put the likes of Gomez and Farnell on the undercards of Ricky Hatton - when okay Hatton sold a load of tickets but those fighters at times did even more!!!

A fighter not only has a job fighting in the ring - but if he wants to increase his profile then he is out pounding the streets selling tickets in pubs, clubs etc etc, also getting on places like facebook etc etc as well as getting articles in the local rag so whenever he fights - he sells loads of tickets!!!

Ross Burkinshaw in Sheffield sells loads - Tony Jeffries sells loads and I believe Kevin Mitchell has also shifted loads in his time - another massive ticket seller was Damon Hague - Hennessy put him on Froch undercards a couple of times!!!

[Lenny]

Agree Autobarn, Murray needs the fights to be a bigger ticket seller. What better to boost his profile than a Euro title winning fight against John Thaxton, if Thaxton wins then onward and upward for the old man. With hindsight, the decision to back the ticket seller from Norwich coming to the end of his career above the young up and comer with potential looks wrong.

Has anyone mentioned the fact that Joe Murray didn't go to Hennessey? I'm sure if the relationship was a good one he would have followed suit. I did feel like Murray was the away fighter when he fought Meager.

[danieljenkins]

it really do make me sick the money khan gets because hes frank warrens golden boy. khan put it on the line your overated and fight people at the weight not smaller men. murray to stop khan (if khan had the balls to fight him )

[Autobarn]

The thing is, how can he be a ticket seller? When he's had to fights where he was the headliner? Lot of Murray's fights were Froch undrercard, Witter undercard, etc. How do you build a fan base down the bill of those fighters? Hatton obviously the biggest ticket seller and he did it by being exciting on the undercards of popular Manchester fighters.

re Ben Carey that Thaxton v Mezache was a likely routine win. Previous fights (Lawton, Stewart) have shown us that winning a title defence is not routine for Thaxton. At Euro level it was that bit harder and he lost (despite bad luck in 1st round when M spat out gumshield). And the fight itself supported this.

????

You are on the wrong track Autobarn - many promoters will put fighters on the undercards of big shows by the very virtue they are ticket sellers or at least good at the stage of their career - W arren is a past master at it especially when he put the likes of Gomez and Farnell on the undercards of Ricky Hatton - when okay Hatton sold a load of tickets but those fighters at times did even more!!!

A fighter not only has a job fighting in the ring - but if he wants to increase his profile then he is out pounding the streets selling tickets in pubs, clubs etc etc, also getting on places like facebook etc etc as well as getting articles in the local rag so whenever he fights - he sells loads of tickets!!!

Ross Burkinshaw in Sheffield sells loads - Tony Jeffries sells loads and I believe Kevin Mitchell has also shifted loads in his time - another massive ticket seller was Damon Hague - Hennessy put him on Froch undercards a couple of times!!!

Hatton on the undercard to popular Manchester fighters Farnell and Gomez helped build Hatton. That was clearly the right place to build Ricky. With Hatton there were ppl to pass the torch on and obviously it worked magnificently for Hatton, who kept winning.

Unfortunately when hatton left Warren there's been no big shows in Manchester - the odd good British title fight in Wigan has been the closest.

Murray in anonymous undercard affairs on the undercard to Froch and Witter...not exactly inspiring is it? "I'm on the Froch undercard...come and see me fight...ugh, Fewkes just pulled out, we're wating for a Spain based South American to come off the plane, not sure who I'm fighting but come see me!"
I see what you're saying about the fighter getting out there & shifting tickets. If Murray were kept busy with that British title things would improve. He could do with momentum in the ring and I think when he puts away more fighters in exciitng fashion it will help build the fan base.

[gobbles]

The thing is, how can he be a ticket seller? When he's had to fights where he was the headliner? Lot of Murray's fights were Froch undrercard, Witter undercard, etc. How do you build a fan base down the bill of those fighters? Hatton obviously the biggest ticket seller and he did it by being exciting on the undercards of popular Manchester fighters.

re Ben Carey that Thaxton v Mezache was a likely routine win. Previous fights (Lawton, Stewart) have shown us that winning a title defence is not routine for Thaxton. At Euro level it was that bit harder and he lost (despite bad luck in 1st round when M spat out gumshield). And the fight itself supported this.

????

You are on the wrong track Autobarn - many promoters will put fighters on the undercards of big shows by the very virtue they are ticket sellers or at least good at the stage of their career - W arren is a past master at it especially when he put the likes of Gomez and Farnell on the undercards of Ricky Hatton - when okay Hatton sold a load of tickets but those fighters at times did even more!!!

A fighter not only has a job fighting in the ring - but if he wants to increase his profile then he is out pounding the streets selling tickets in pubs, clubs etc etc, also getting on places like facebook etc etc as well as getting articles in the local rag so whenever he fights - he sells loads of tickets!!!

Ross Burkinshaw in Sheffield sells loads - Tony Jeffries sells loads and I believe Kevin Mitchell has also shifted loads in his time - another massive ticket seller was Damon Hague - Hennessy put him on Froch undercards a couple of times!!!

The problem Murray had was not fighting near Manchester much. Hennessy does have a show a month on ITV4, but there doesn't seem to be much money beyond the main event. Ideally Murray could say share top billing at York Hall with O'Donnell or at Birmingham next week, even if it was just in an eight-rounder against a decent foreign guy or a routine British title defence. But that doesn't seem to be happening.

[Autobarn]

A certain Yuri Romanov is mandatory for the EBU title, but i'm not sure he'd see that as a step forward, think he would rather be looking at world titles.

Romanov doesn't seem to be doing much. What a waste.

He's fighting Guzman for the IBF title.

Seems an odd fight this, with Guzman's weight problems possibly jeopardising any event. I wonder what television will go with a Guzman fight from now on.

I suppose who else is there for an IBF title fight, given that Ali Funeka can't challenge an IBF belt coming off a loss.

Would love to see Romanov pull this off but it's a horrid style for him if Guzman makes weight. I hope Romanov lets his hands go, rips that body. Maybe he's got the fight at the right time. Go Yuri.