Abraham v Murray

[stujones]

Lots of sensible things being said - for me, Murray won this fight - very tight but I thought he was up by 1 or 2. I know what people are saying about Abraham being the easiest route for him and perhaps it is - but I think there is no way Murray is going back to Middle now.... he looked huge at the weight next to Abraham.

I still think Murray vs Jack is a winnable fight for Murray, as would Abraham be in a rematch - but perhaps the Jack route might be the best one now.

[samwbr]

Lots of sensible things being said - for me, Murray won this fight - very tight but I thought he was up by 1 or 2. I know what people are saying about Abraham being the easiest route for him and perhaps it is - but I think there is no way Murray is going back to Middle now.... he looked huge at the weight next to Abraham.

I still think Murray vs Jack is a winnable fight for Murray, as would Abraham be in a rematch - but perhaps the Jack route might be the best one now.

Think you are underestimating Badou Jack. Groves beats Murray every time IMO and he couldn't get the win v Jack.

[stujones]

Quite possibly, samwbr - I think though we might be writing off Murray a bit too quickly though. For me, this fight was a close as the Sturm one way back when.

I think the key difference between Groves and Murray is fitness and chin. Yes, I agree Groves is a better boxer than Murray, does a lot of things better than him.... but his undoing (in a razor close decision lets not forget) vs Jack was his chin and stamina. The KD was terrible for Groves, tactics went out of the window somewhat he fought too hard to play "catch up" and was not relaxed, the let Jack come back especially when George faded.

So I actually think Jack vs Murray might be a bit of a nip and tuck affair with no clear dominator in the early stages.... but likewise no chin and stamina issues costing points also. I think it would be very very close.

I think Groves should have beaten Jack (not necessarily on the cards, but had he fought a bit smarter tactically) and would have beaten Jack but for the KD - because instead of just boxing tidy behind the jab, using his superior speed - he over worked it to "catch up" and gassed at the end.

[Monte Fisto]

This fight along with Alvarez vs Cotto are painful to score as your brain knows who the round is going to when its close.

I think i had AA by 1 round but at that point you know theres only a gnats piss in it.

[Boxerbeetle]

Anyone else see the similarities between Murray and Howard Eastman? For me, both have that solid, technical approach but the inability to go through the gears when it really matters - there's always the inference that there is more in the locker but in both cases they've never been able to show that when it matters... so frustrating.

Frustrating is exactly the right description of Murray, and the comparison to Eastman is spot on. Their gearsticks seem to get stuck at 4th, no matter how big a fight it is. They also seem to lack the ability to adjust their tactics when necessary. Yesterday was all the more disappointing as Froch has laid the blueprint for beating AA but, despite apparently watching that fight repeatedly in training camp, Murray didn't really to try to carry it out himself. Even Watt was correctly pointing out tactical flaws, which is a rare occurrence these days.

My favourite fighters are those who go out & leave everything in the ring, win or lose - guys like Murray & Eastman just don't seem to have that mentality.

[Deserter]

Anyone else see the similarities between Murray and Howard Eastman? For me, both have that solid, technical approach but the inability to go through the gears when it really matters - there's always the inference that there is more in the locker but in both cases they've never been able to show that when it matters... so frustrating.

Frustrating is exactly the right description of Murray, and the comparison to Eastman is spot on. Their gearsticks seem to get stuck at 4th, no matter how big a fight it is. They also seem to lack the ability to adjust their tactics when necessary. Yesterday was all the more disappointing as Froch has laid the blueprint for beating AA but, despite apparently watching that fight repeatedly in training camp, Murray didn't really to try to carry it out himself. Even Watt was correctly pointing out tactical flaws, which is a rare occurrence these days.

My favourite fighters are those who go out & leave everything in the ring, win or lose - guys like Murray & Eastman just don't seem to have that mentality.

Yep, you're bang on. I was thinking during the fight that Froch had already established the precedent, but as you correctly point out, he just wouldn't/couldn't follow that plan. I like Murray, but it's hard to build a case for him deserving another shot.

[TheGman]

:geek2:

If paul smith got a rematch is murray due a rematch?
if not maybe groves next for murray?

Smith lost a contraversial decision wer as murray was happy to hear the final bell,murray must of thought this would be an easier fight than what it was cause,for me,he didnt try his best,groves would destroy murray

[littlepug]

murray just hasn't got the gears to go through at this level, like ive mentioned before its not enough to "stay with em" when your in the other fellas backyard.

[Stuarty]

Can't believe some folk have this fight as close. I had AA winning by 3 and that's being kind. Murray shouldn't retire as he definitely has some good fights left in him but I thought AA boxed well on the night. I was going mental in my livingroom when he rocked him in the 8th but he failed to capitalise. I also had Sturm just nicking their fight so maybe it has something to do with Murrays style and it's open to interpretation.

[littlepug]

as jim watt would say he needs more devil in his work

[crusader]

Can't believe some folk have this fight as close. I had AA winning by 3 and that's being kind.

So you had the fight 7-5 barring the point deduction?

[Stuarty]

Can't believe some folk have this fight as close. I had AA winning by 3 and that's being kind.

So you had the fight 7-5 barring the point deduction?

I didn't actually sit and score it mate but in my head I had AA winning clear at the end. 7-5 8-4 around that sounds about fair IMO. Some rounds could've been even too. Abraham has that defence where he covers up then flurries at the end and they rounds are hard to score especially when Murrays shots are hitting the gloves etc... I would need to watch it back but I was surprised when it went to a SD and I think the correct guy won. I am a fan of Murray so it's frustrating.