What next for Murray and Smigga

[davie]

Save me starting 2 threads, we can discuss both.

First up Martin Murray. Thats the third time he fought top level opponent abroad, he has really done it the hard way when you consider the geales and soliman that have held versions of the title.
Came so close in Germany and Argentina and now gave the baddest man on the planet his sternest test.
I think Murrays team have to go all out to secure an easier title shot for him.
I know that sounds like a cop out, but lee and cotto are both winnable fights for martin and both would be a cracking payday if he can get them, the IBF situation with Taylor surely means there's an avenue to a title there and even the good old "regular" title route is one he could go down.
If anyone deserves an easy shot at picking up a strap it's martin, theres no doubt he's at world level and for me it's a toss up between him and Quillin for no2 in that division and i'd be surprised if Quillin could have lived with GGG the way Martin did last night.

As for Smith, well done for your efforts on both occasions against Abraham, most had him down as the 5th best supermiddle in the UK & not even the best in his own family.
To have aquitted himself as well at world level is a credit to him and he's done more than most of us expected.
But if we're being honest he lost twice to probably the weakest world title holder and chasing another world title shot is a long shot.
He's proven himself above donestic level and the options at domestic level means thee could be a good payday in winning the lonsdale outright then go for a european title.
It might be a comedown and a hard pill to swallow but it's surely the best road for him to go.
I think he could finish off a long and eventful career with a couple good wins, the british and european belts and the memories of 2 solid world level challenges, he could be pleased with that.

[ShadrachSimmo]

Get Murray in with BJS, Lee or Eubanks jnr anyone of those is a winnable fight for him.

As for Smith I feel he's had his day in the sun. Can't see him getting another shot at a world title. He can go back to domestic level maybe even try for a rematch with Groves.

[SNG]

Murray should aim for Cotto or Lee after a comeback fight.

[palooka]

Murray should aim for Cotto or Lee after a comeback fight.

Murray would be in with a real shout against either, he did well last night v a fighter on another level.

[Lion-Heart]

GGG looks set to fight cotto so I'd say murrays best chance is now down either the WBO or IBF route. Massive heart but I just don't know if his got boxing skills to reach the top level

[Boxerbeetle]

GGG looks set to fight cotto so I'd say murrays best chance is now down either the WBO or IBF route. Massive heart but I just don't know if his got boxing skills to reach the top level

That's how I see it as well. Although Murray's acquitted himself admirably, he's now lost all 3 fights he's had against world level opposition. He can definitely pick up a belt, but it'll have to be against one of the weaker title holders.

[ShadrachSimmo]

GGG looks set to fight cotto so I'd say murrays best chance is now down either the WBO or IBF route. Massive heart but I just don't know if his got boxing skills to reach the top level

GGG will massacre Cotto and sharpish. I hope it doesn't happen.

[crusader]

I hope it does. By beating Cotto and capturing another major belt he'll probably become a bigger draw and narrow the opportunities fighters have to win a title and earn a large payday without facing him. That in turn would give opponents a greater financial incentive to fight him, which I find desirable since I want to see him face the best opponents possible whether he decides to stick to 160 or move up.

[freddydoesdallas]

GGG looks set to fight cotto so I'd say murrays best chance is now down either the WBO or IBF route. Massive heart but I just don't know if his got boxing skills to reach the top level

GGG will massacre Cotto and sharpish. I hope it doesn't happen.

I agree, it will be brutal. I'm looking forward to seeing GGG up at 168. After Murray took some good punches from him it will be interesting to see how he can adapt and take digs up a weight

[handsofstone]

Murray can be proud of that showing last night,I love his attitude and he seems to revel in being up against it,he fought the right fight and sometimes there's just nothing you can do,Golovkin is freakishly strong,tough and an excellent boxer with a decent engine and whiskers to boot,t was a shame Martin couldn't see it through to the end,he deserved to but it was a good call by the ref,I can't really see why Oliver was taking so much flak over on CS,Murray's a tough SOB and although eventually he was starting to ship some heavy punishment, it was a world title fight,2 of the KD's were bodyshots and the third had a lot to do with balance,Murray never really showed too many signs he was in dangerous trouble before the eventual stoppage

Smith could also be proud of his showing,the rematch played out how I thought it would,I had it 117-111,Abraham pulled away after the midway point but Paul had his moments especially the body shot in the 6th which clearly hurt Arthur but Smith just couldnt get in front but he was game as they come and I was impressed with the way he just kept firing back,Abraham's a frigging tank

Hard to bear for the the Brits abroad at world level but certainly no disgrace and it was great to see them give it their all

A shout out to Lee Haskins for reclaiming the European BW title,crap fight though and I was glad it ended up a TD

[seanilius]

Smith should retire and hopefully get a nice little job with Sky.

Murray can certainly win one of the belts. Hopefully he'll get a soft touch belt holder in the next year. God knows he deserves it!

[whiskey]

Perhaps they switch weigh divisions.

[Parson Cross]

I think Paul will think long and hard.
It's very difficult for fighters to drop back a few levels knowing full well that another chance at elite level won't happen even if they regroup.
He won't have any worries as he's the next permanent commentator / summariser on Sky.

As for Martin - wasn't this his final fight on the deal with Rodney ?
The route forward will be determined by who signs him.

[expe]

I think Paul will think long and hard.
It's very difficult for fighters to drop back a few levels knowing full well that another chance at elite level won't happen even if they regroup.
He won't have any worries as he's the next permanent commentator / summariser on Sky.

As for Martin - wasn't this his final fight on the deal with Rodney ?
The route forward will be determined by who signs him.

The board have ordered him to defend against Fielding, I think he'll take the payday from that then call it a day. Murray's best bet is to keep busy and hope that Saunders or Lee come out with the WBO belt after their little trilogy with Quillin, still got time for a big domestic fight, be a shame if he retired and none of him, Barker, Macklin and Lee ever fought each other.

[Old Jack J]

Murray still has time to bounce back. He will get another shot purely from giving golovkin a bit of a fight. Maybe a warm up then back in with lee or BJS?

Difficult for smith as younger brother callum already looks a class above him and wants the British title. Fielding would be a very good profitable fight for paul. If he loses that, it opens up the revenge fight for callum. If he wins it he can either retire on top (ish) or see if he can get a shot a the European belt.

[JimJim2009]

Anyone know what martin's purse was ? If my memory is correct he was on rather a lucrative deal with the South african outfit. I recall him being rather critical of what went on when he was with ricky, and last night in the post fight interview Martin said everything he'd been promised had been delivered. Hopefully he has earned very well from it.

[stujones]

I think Smith if he wants to look at the "world" honours route will need to consider moving down..... Murray I feel will be avoided, the manner of the defeat - although brave was very comprehensive. Very hard for a fighter to be promoted as a serious "world title" level fighter after such a one sided fight. Even if Murray fought and beat Andy Lee, who is seriously going to want to see him in a "unification" rematch with GGG - therefore, I don't think the governing bodies are going to do him that many favours in his ranking.

Yes, I think he beats Lee, think him and Cotto is very intriguing and who knows what will happen with the IBF - just cannot see him getting the chances..... perhaps his best bet will also be too move up, blame "weight loss" for the "poor" performance and see if he can get another title fight.

Might sound harsh, but it took JMM a bit to "regroup" after Mayweather...... and this was a multi weight ATG fighter.

[Sklar]

Fight each other. Merseyside derby. Murray is big enough.

[broomy7s]

Good points. I think Murray will win a world title if last night didn't take too much outta him. Smith i'd like to see him win the lonsdale belt outright so a big final payday against Rocky Fielding would be a good end to his career. I thought Macklin was great on sky last night so hopefully he retires soon too and concentrates on his business and work with sky.

[Andrew]

Martin Murray

Said in the RBR but say it again he is one ridiculously hard man. Gave it all he could and did the best anyone has done against GGG. Personally I would like him to fight the Eubank Chudinov winner. Looking at rankings he should look at the IBF

1. Hassan N’Dam
2. NOT RATED
3. Felix Sturm
4. Billy Joe Saunders
5. David Lemieux
6. Sam Soliman
7. Sergio Mora
8. Eamonn O’Kane
9. Daniel Geale
10. Curtis Stevens
11. Adam Etches
12. Tureano Johnson
13. Jorge Heiland
14. Patrick Nielsen
15. Ryota Murata

1 and 5 fighting for the vacant belt. 3 is no longer a middleweight. 6 is getting on in age. Get him in with OKane and take his ranking I say. MM would win no problem. Don't know Sergio Mora apart from he drew with mosely in a dredful fight apparently

Paul Smith

Never been too keen on him personally, but have to respect him for last nights efforts. Abraham was at his best and I thought he was going to flatten Smith mid rounds after a good start.

Would love an all scouse fight between him and Rocky Fielding but I don't see it.

[wesshaw1985]

Murray vs. Martinez/Soliman/Rubio/Korobov
Smith vs. Periban/Davis/Douglin/Sjekloca

[palooka]

Etches isn't doing too badly in the ratings is he?

[stevieb_8006]

I think smith should try and pick up the European. Murray should fight the winner of lee vs quillen, and if he's done, have a last hurrah vs macklin in a 'five years too late' fight.

[thatllbeme]

Murray is at the end of a 3 fight deal with Golden Gloves so I think he should look at signing with mr warren and looking to get fights like Saunders and Eubank jr have ok home soil and then surely he will get another crack at a title but over here

Paul Smith should fight Rocky Fielding if he loses then retire but if he wins he gets the Lonsdale Belt outright then decide from there

[hurlock]

Swap divisions.