Ryota Murata vs. Hassan N'Dam

[Cutman Scabbers]

May 20, for the WBA Middleweight Title

[boxing_rocks]

N'Dam is shot and was stopped in Olympics. Murata is not good. Can't really predict, but if I had to pick, then I would pick Murata.

[Tanzio]

N'Dam is shot and was stopped in Olympics. Murata is not good. Can't really predict, but if I had to pick, then I would pick Murata.

What evidence do you have that N'Dam is shot? Dude has two losses on his record to Quillin and Lemieux, not by stoppage. What does being "stopped in the Olympics" have to do with it, ffs? While he tends to be reminiscent of a Weeble Wobble at times, he has never been stopped as a pro, including the aforementioned losses to Quillin and Lemieux as well as a victory over Curtis Stevens.

N'Dam is the quintessential gatekeeper at MW. If Murata gets by him he will have a date booked in the not too distant future with someone in the top tier of the division.

That said, I would have to lean toward a close decision that may be controversial either way. Murata should edge it if he can get a couple of KDs.

[Mexi-Box]

Just kills me that people say N'Dam is shot. Dude just got an impressive win over highly, highly touted Alfonso Blanco.

[crusader]

Ndam wasn't stopped in the Olympics, and since then he's scored a KO of the Year win.

[Mexi-Box]

Ndam wasn't stopped in the Olympics, and since then he's scored a KO of the Year win.

This forum is weird. People say dumb shit that makes me wonder if there are real boxing fans in here and not a bunch of casuals. Shot fighter wouldn't KO a highly touted prospect like Blanco in 1 round.

I've not seen Murata in forever, but I'm not reading a lot about people being impressed by him. This might be a 50-50 for all I know. I only picked Murata because he might be as good as some poster's have said. We all know N'Dam's level, though.

[boxing_rocks]

Yeah, I thought I read about him being stopped, but it was probably his early elimination which shocked me that much.

[ElJefe]

Good test for Murata. I'll pick him to win a decision in a competitive fight.

[boxing_rocks]

https://twitter.com/steveucnlive/status ... 6628629504

[jbizzle20]

It's a big opportunity for Murata as he's been fighting an uphill battle for recognition outside E. Asia. Have to admit it would be interesting to see a Japanese champion above LWs, if he can make it that far.

[Cutman Scabbers]

https://twitter.com/steveucnlive/status ... 6628629504

Any reason?

[Boxing Prospect]

N'Dam is the under-dog with the bookies here in the UK

[Cutman Scabbers]

Anyone know where to watch this outside Japan?

[Cutman Scabbers]

Man, was that a crooked decision or what??

[Mighty Atom]

Man, was that a crooked decision or what??

French TV had Murata winning by 8 points

[Cutman Scabbers]

Man, was that a crooked decision or what??

French TV had Murata winning by 8 points

There you go -- how to explain??

[Mexi-Box]

This is easily one of the worst decisions of the year. N'Dam did not win a round after the 3rd.

[apollo creed]

Murata - japanese olympic gold medalist getting robbed in his home-country. That's weird.

[Tarkus]

Scoring is getting more and more ridiculous. Judges are literally scoring running. Because NDam did not land a punch.

[Cutman Scabbers]

This is easily one of the worst decisions of the year. N'Dam did not win a round after the 3rd.

I could see how he might have taken rounds 8, 10 and 11.

But even if you give him all three, he still loses the fight
due to the knockdown.

[Cutman Scabbers]

Murata - japanese olympic gold medalist getting robbed in his home-country. That's weird.

I find it baffling. WHY??

[imaioral]

I had 115-112 Murata, no way N'Dam won, he barely conected punches.

[Cutman Scabbers]

Scoring is getting more and more ridiculous. Judges are literally scoring running. Because NDam did not land a punch.

And Murata didn't throw many punches -- but almost all those that landed
seemed to hurt N'Dam.

[Cutman Scabbers]

I had 115-112 Murata, no way N'Dam won, he barely conected punches.

From KO of the Year to Robbery of the Year -- N'Dam certainly getting in the news!

[Tanzio]

Bandwagon "the decision was corrupt, boxing is in the toilet" kneejerk bullsh!t.

Murata has only himself to blame for the decision, which could have gone either way, imo. He did literally next to nothing for the entire first three rounds, giving them away voluntarily to N'Dam. Hassan was easily leading round four before Murata finally landed something of note and dropped N'Dam the Weeble Wobble with a picture perfect right on the button. There would be no more picture perfect punches in this fight.

Murata could not cutoff a dandelion with a sickle; absolutely hapless footwork. Don't blame N'Dam for using the ring to bewilder the Japanese robot. Even when in range Murata was far too reticent to let his hands go. He lost rounds throughout the fight by way of inactivity.

There were too few clear rounds, half of which were the first three in N'Dam's favor thanks to Murata literally giving them away. Other than that, four (obviously), six, and seven were clear Murata rounds. That leaves six close rounds, five of which were very close, imo.

I think that Gustavo Padilla's (Panama) card was far too wide for N'Dam, and Raul Caiz's (USA) was far too wide for Murata. I can see a rationalization for 115-112 in either direction or closer.

I scored it 114-113 Murata, making the KD the difference in this fight. It was there to be had in clear fashion for Murata but he failed to do the work to get it done.

1. 10-9 N'Dam (Murata throws about 5 total punches, landing zero)

2. 10-9 N'Dam (Murata finally lands one combo but pays for it)

3. 10-9 N'Dam (Murata just not active enough)

4. 10-8 Murata (N'Dam clearly leading the round before Murata lands the one picture perfect punch of the evening which turns out to be the difference on my card)

5. 10-9 N'Dam (very close, a slip by N'Dam could have been interpreted as a landed Murata punch and changed scores)

6. 10-9 Murata (clear round Murata, 57-56 N'Dam going into the second half)

7. 10-9 Murata (but still not proactive enough at a time when he could have clearly taken control)

8. 10-9 N'Dam (very close)

9. 10-9 Murata (very close)

10. 10-9 Murata (too close for no reason)

11. 10-9 N'Dam (very close steal)

12. 10-9 Murata (again too close due to Murata's lack of activity, and killer instinct, as well as N'Dam's underrated skills, and gifts, including massive heart)

Rumors of N'Dam the Weeble Wobble being shot are massively premature. He is (as stated previously) the quintessential middle weight gatekeeper.

I had Murata winning but he was anything but impressive. Maybe if there is a rematch he can get it done right.