Guys, in an age when every fight that fans want to see is put on the long finger (or never happens) because it "doesnt make financial sense" then Lee Murtagh is a breath of fresh fuckin air.
Murtagh, from Leeds but from a family of boxers in Belfast, wants the Irish title so much that he is taking a fight against Anthony Fitzgerald for no purse and outside his normal weight division.
MachoMan09 wrote:I'm not at all supportive of such an imprudent approach to business; the hurt business, no less. Murtagh's ardent lust for the Irish title is admirable but it is a dangerous precedant for professional fighters to start touting themselves out gratis. Before you know it, promoters will be encouraging young lads to box a series of freebies 'in order to build up your record, son'. Unacceptable, to me.
It could be argued that it's a good business move. If he wins the title then bigger and better paydays should come his way. I agree that it is a dangerous precedent to set but Murthagh can't worry about the consequences of him taking this fight for free (which in reality are not going to be that dire).
I'm taking my cyncial specs off and seeing this as what it is; a fighter putting glory before money.
MachoMan09 wrote:I'm not at all supportive of such an imprudent approach to business; the hurt business, no less. Murtagh's ardent lust for the Irish title is admirable but it is a dangerous precedant for professional fighters to start touting themselves out gratis. Before you know it, promoters will be encouraging young lads to box a series of freebies 'in order to build up your record, son'. Unacceptable, to me.
excellent post, while i admire the guy for fighting for nothing as it's for a title once you take the romance out of the situation it seems a bit silly as you have pointed out so well it sets a dangerous precedant. Good luck to him though
Is every amateur boxer in the world "silly"?
Its not as simple as taking the fight for nothing. Murtagh is in the twilght of his career and has always wanted the Irish title. He was scheduled to fight the same boxer for this title in November 2009 and February 2010 but pulled out both times with an injury.
It depends on the situation of the individual, and in this case I have no problem with it whatsoever. How much did Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym get for fighting Dunne? I remember it not being much more than nothing, but I guess he just really wanted the title shot.
BIGMARK wrote:
excellent post, while i admire the guy for fighting for nothing as it's for a title once you take the romance out of the situation it seems a bit silly as you have pointed out so well it sets a dangerous precedant. Good luck to him though
Is every amateur boxer in the world "silly"?
Its not as simple as taking the fight for nothing. Murtagh is in the twilght of his career and has always wanted the Irish title. He was scheduled to fight the same boxer for this title in November 2009 and February 2010 but pulled out both times with an injury.
Amateur boxing has no relevance to this discussion whatsoever.
It is as simple as Murtagh taking this fight for nothing because that is precisely what he is doing. The fact he is in the twilight of his career makes it worse, if anything. It smacks of desperation and that is never a good thing. Imagine an ageing prostitute, whose looks have gone, pimping herself out for free on the off chance that Richard Gere will hear how good her service is and come round the corner in a Lamborghini to whisk her away into the sunset. It's both fanciful and depressing.
I had typed out a long reply but cant be arsed to be honest, let just say I disagree. Both on the relevance of the point and the prostitution analogy. I'll leave it at that.
Admire his spirit and desire but the Promoter and Board should be ashamed letting him do it. I hope he gets looked after even if the record shpows he's getting "nothing."
Aussie light heavy weight Tim Bell http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_ ... &cat=boxer did the same over here for the Australian LHW title, he also covered his own travel and accommodation costs, it paid off for him as he won by 6th round KO. It's a bold move and hats off to Lee Murtagh for taking the initiative. Good luck and fair play to you.
