Well done to Martin Murray and Paul Smith

[palooka]

I've just watched the fights, I feel both men fought their hearts out and came out of losing fights with great credit, both showed great class in their post bout interviews as well; they both deserve respect and recognition.

[Monte Fisto]

Agreed 100% they put on great shows as 2 to top contenders.

Some banging head aches this morning. Fighters and Fans

[broomy7s]

Yeah both men a credit to British boxing. If Golovkin steps up, I can't see why Murray can't come again and win a world title.

[handsofstone]

Both men can be content in the fact that they gave their all

I cant understand the flak Smigga gets on here,I only got a computer in 2011 so I wasn't here when he was but he's no more boastful than anyone else really,boxing's not a team sport so most fighters have a pretty big ego and a high opinion of themselves, same goes for Khan

[handsofstone]

Although I will say Smith's behaviour regarding him hogging the British title is annoying but that's up to the board to strip him rather than do nowt

[Noxy]

I've just watched the fights, I feel both men fought their hearts out and came out of losing fights with great credit, both showed great class in their post bout interviews as well; they both deserve respect and recognition.

Hear hear

[Bard of Boxrec]

Yeah both men a credit to British boxing. If Golovkin steps up, I can't see why Murray can't come again and win a world title.

Very possible Murray won't be the same again after that.

[TheCobra]

Yeah both men a credit to British boxing. If Golovkin steps up, I can't see why Murray can't come again and win a world title.

Very possible Murray won't be the same again after that.

I don't think Murray took a terrible beating though. He took some hurtful punches but I never felt he was getting really hurt in a damaging way, in fact the ref saved him at the right time so as to avoid going into that territory.

Mentally yes he's been beat, but I think he stuck up for himself well and it was never totally one-sided so as to be horrible to watch, he was in the fight for a while then sort of faded away a bit as he tired, but no disgrace at all in that performance.

[Deserter]

Watched one of Murray's post-fight interviews and that and his performance converted me into a fan - warrior spirit personified.

[Rogers21]

i really like Murray and think hes really tough, but that fight was just a one sided beating, cant see anyone really giving GGG any trouble in this division, would love to see Alvarez move up and fight him although only one winner in that fight.

[Bard of Boxrec]

Yeah both men a credit to British boxing. If Golovkin steps up, I can't see why Murray can't come again and win a world title.

Very possible Murray won't be the same again after that.

I don't think Murray took a terrible beating though.

Hmm. I beg to differ. He landed a few himself but he got pummelled overall.

[stujones]

i really like Murray and think hes really tough, but that fight was just a one sided beating, cant see anyone really giving GGG any trouble in this division, would love to see Alvarez move up and fight him although only one winner in that fight.

Yeah agree, still not sure what were Murray's tactics. I expected him to try and take it to GGG more (might sound like suicide, but I think hands up on the ropes is also playing to GGG's strengths).

[Bard of Boxrec]

i really like Murray and think hes really tough, but that fight was just a one sided beating, cant see anyone really giving GGG any trouble in this division, would love to see Alvarez move up and fight him although only one winner in that fight.

Yeah agree, still not sure what were Murray's tactics. I expected him to try and take it to GGG more (might sound like suicide, but I think hands up on the ropes is also playing to GGG's strengths).

I think that's what Woodhall and Collins expected too. But noone can do it because the guy has a diamond jaw and nothing pushes him back. Ploughing forward into that wrecking ball you better be ready to trade. You see guys try it but then taste the power and back off again.

[stujones]

Yeah, off course - in reality though all he done is possibly/probably shortened his career. I think he should have gone for it more offensively, if he would have gone like Geale then so be it - at least Geale might have a longer career for going early.

Same with Smith, seemed to spend too much time covering up and blocking jabs than punching himself. Just not sure how either "gained" from showing their bravery and ability to absorb punishment. Its going to be a job to promote either as a genuine world title level fighter. Unless they go down the weight making excuses etc.

[rd350lc]

Yeah, off course - in reality though all he done is possibly/probably shortened his career. I think he should have gone for it more offensively, if he would have gone like Geale then so be it - at least Geale might have a longer career for going early.

Same with Smith, seemed to spend too much time covering up and blocking jabs than punching himself. Just not sure how either "gained" from showing their bravery and ability to absorb punishment. Its going to be a job to promote either as a genuine world title level fighter. Unless they go down the weight making excuses etc.

I disagree and think Murray is world class , as he proved against Martinez and Sturm , Golovkin is in a league of his own and if he steps up to super middle there will be openings for Murray

[dr_devious]

Martin Murray put in an epic performance in terms of bravery and durability on Saturday night and although he had his moments took a fearful beating. Hope I'm wrong but he may not be the same again after this.

[handsofstone]

I think Murray will be fine,whether he can get another title shot??

That was Martin's first conclusive loss,and its never nice to see a tough durable fighter get stopped for the first time,its a shame he never got the nod against Martinez coz Saturday might be his last hurrah and motivation which has always been an issue for Murray is gonna be harder to muster

If he is to earn another crack then he needs a big domestic fight next or a recent former champ

[liamlion]

Martin Murray, will come again. He is no spring chicken but he is definitely amongst the crop of world class fighters that operate below Golovkin's level.

Murray took a bit of a battering. It would have been painful but it wasnt a savage mauling. I think on reflection he will gain a bit of confidence from the fact that he lasted longer than most against a truly murderous puncher.

I have long thought Murray to be the strongest and toughest british middleweight. It is just a shame he doesnt have one punch knockout power.

Golovkin is an absolute freak.

[stujones]

Yeah, off course - in reality though all he done is possibly/probably shortened his career. I think he should have gone for it more offensively, if he would have gone like Geale then so be it - at least Geale might have a longer career for going early.

Same with Smith, seemed to spend too much time covering up and blocking jabs than punching himself. Just not sure how either "gained" from showing their bravery and ability to absorb punishment. Its going to be a job to promote either as a genuine world title level fighter. Unless they go down the weight making excuses etc.

I disagree and think Murray is world class , as he proved against Martinez and Sturm , Golovkin is in a league of his own and if he steps up to super middle there will be openings for Murray

Off course Murray is world class, but I'm not sure he's going to get another chance. I cannot see Lee/Quilan and the rest of the champions wanting to fight him and its not like he lost a Hagler/Hearns esque fight. I agree with you and actually favour Murray over everyone barring Quillan and GGG - but I cannot see him getting another chance.

I think it is easier for someone like Daniel Geale who gave it a go and got battered and stopped to comeback and chalk it down (in promoters eyes) to an "off night", than someone who lost every minute of 30 minutes against GGG in a "brave" effort. Yes, I agree GGG is in a league of his own but I don't think promoters of other fighters at Middleweight will want to see their fighter against a man of Murray's calibre who has just lost like he did. Brave yes, but completely outclassed. If say Quilan KO's Lee and then scrapes by Murray on a split decision - all of a sudden GGG vs Quilan will be a harder sell. Who wants to see GGG against a man of Murray's level again?

Personally, I think GGG makes Middleweight comfortably enough and he is becoming such a name that I think he will attract the big names himself at Middleweight. He's already as big a name as Froch stateside, so I can see GGG either attracting the likes of Quilan, or someone like Alvarez/Lara moving up. He'll do what BHop did at Middleweight - he doesn't need to move up (he's a small Middleweight) and with Ward gone quiet that would be the only fight (other than possibly JCC) in which GGG might be given parity or equal billing in terms of "star name attraction" - if he did move up, so I can see him looking at Cotto and maybe trying to tempt the Light Middles to move up.

But yes, I do agree if either GGG move up, or Murray "blames" weight making (sorry I know that sounds incredibly harsh) and moves up then there would be pathways for Murray - just cannot see him getting many chances at Middleweight with GGG around at the weight.

They say that fortune favours the brave, however in some cases this doesn't happen in boxing. I think back to "brave" efforts in world title fights in which firmly shuts the door for anybody other meaningful fight. Sosnowski was brave against Klitchsko - ultimately lost practically every minute - nothing. Even multiple weight world champions like Arturo Gatti struggled to get meaningful fights when he was brave but outclassed against Mayweather. He new straight away that he needed to "blame" something for that "brave, but outclassed" performance and he moved up.

And Whilst Murray was exceedingly brave, showed great resistance - he ultimately was outclassed.

[mickey1975]

He is much bigger than Froch stateside.