Thoughts on MItchell Murray
Posted: 17 Jul 2011, 16:56
This fight reminded me of the first Marquez-Diaz fight. It had that same moment where the hunter – who came forward round after round looking T1000 invincible – suddenly finds the tables turned and the hunted knocking him out.
I really enjoyed this fight – totally impressed by Mitchell and quite disappointed by Murray. Murray had delusions of being world class? Not fighting like this mate. I remember watching him against Thaxton on ITV4 – he came forward with a high guard, a bit like Glen Johnson, in the style of those Roman soldiers that moved forward with shields up but with hard straight punches jabbing out instead of spears.
In this fight Murray seemed to spend the first few rounds throwing massive looping right hands - giving Mitchell had time to slip the punch, sell an eighth to someone in the front row and counter before moving away. Murray was sprinting forward with no respect for Mitchell and straight into quality uppercuts and hooks. Ok he was getting more punches on the punch stats and Jim Watt was impressed with his work rate and at times it was hard to say if Mitchell would be able to stand it - but he was eating quality punches and tiring himself out. When Murray did throw straight shots he had some success and rocked Mitchell but then went back to his head-down hook-winging with little success. When he caught Mitchell on the ropes he was missing so many shots it seemed obvious he would punch himself out.
I thought Mitchell was brilliant though. Not just movement but also he knew he had to go to war and trade with Murray. From the off there was only one fighter who looked world class and it wasn’t Murray. I loved Mitchell’s head movement and counters. Also loved his range of punches and his movement in and out. Still, he must have wondered if Murray would ever stop or would keep coming and eventually wear him down and he had to battle through some heavy rounds. But no one is invincible and the quality boxing told in the end. Mitchell didn’t just spar with an oak tree like Froch he stuck in there and chopped it down – even if this was just sapling in comparison.
I really enjoyed this fight – totally impressed by Mitchell and quite disappointed by Murray. Murray had delusions of being world class? Not fighting like this mate. I remember watching him against Thaxton on ITV4 – he came forward with a high guard, a bit like Glen Johnson, in the style of those Roman soldiers that moved forward with shields up but with hard straight punches jabbing out instead of spears.
In this fight Murray seemed to spend the first few rounds throwing massive looping right hands - giving Mitchell had time to slip the punch, sell an eighth to someone in the front row and counter before moving away. Murray was sprinting forward with no respect for Mitchell and straight into quality uppercuts and hooks. Ok he was getting more punches on the punch stats and Jim Watt was impressed with his work rate and at times it was hard to say if Mitchell would be able to stand it - but he was eating quality punches and tiring himself out. When Murray did throw straight shots he had some success and rocked Mitchell but then went back to his head-down hook-winging with little success. When he caught Mitchell on the ropes he was missing so many shots it seemed obvious he would punch himself out.
I thought Mitchell was brilliant though. Not just movement but also he knew he had to go to war and trade with Murray. From the off there was only one fighter who looked world class and it wasn’t Murray. I loved Mitchell’s head movement and counters. Also loved his range of punches and his movement in and out. Still, he must have wondered if Murray would ever stop or would keep coming and eventually wear him down and he had to battle through some heavy rounds. But no one is invincible and the quality boxing told in the end. Mitchell didn’t just spar with an oak tree like Froch he stuck in there and chopped it down – even if this was just sapling in comparison.