Martin Murray Retires!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Murray Hangs up his Gloves

"After having a talk with Gem (Murray's wife Gemma), my family and close friends I’ve decided to hang my gloves up and call it a day," Murray announced on Wednesday. "It wasn’t the fairytale ending that I’d dreamed of but I’d like to think that I retire with a bit of respect and my health, which is the most important thing."

Murray (39-6-1, 17KOs) turned pro in 2007, surging through the domestic level to arrive on the title stage just four years into his career. His first swing at a major belt ended in controversy, as he fought Felix Sturm to a widely-disputed 12-round draw in their December 2011 title fight in Mannheim, Germany.

The bout was one of four occasions where the Brit was forced to hit the road in search of putting a major title around his waist. Murray traveled to Buenos Aires, Argentina for an April 2013 showdown with then-lineal middleweight champion Sergio Martinez, whom he dropped in the 8th round but faded down the stretch in a 12-round unanimous decision which many still felt should have went his way.

Four wins followed including an Oct. 2014 technical decision win over Domenico Spada in Monte Carlo, where he would return four months later for his third title challenge and his most lopsided loss. Murray took on then-unbeaten middleweight titlist Gennadiy Golovkin, gaining only a moral victory in extending the Kazakhstani knockour artist deeper than he'd ever been in his career—only to suffer a one-sided 11th round stoppage loss.

A move to super middleweight came soon thereafter, where Murray won three in a row before falling just short to Arthur Abraham in their Nov. 2015 title fight in Hannover, Germany.

Murray won seven of his next nine starts, though failing to push past gatekeeper status by that point as evidenced in losses to countryman George Groves and Cameroon's Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam. One last swing at a major title came earlier this month, with Murray fitting the bill as a regionally-based super middleweight contender for Saunders which made it easier during pandemic-stricken times where travel restrictions make it difficult to otherwise move forward in the sport.

Saunders claimed a well-earned lopsided decision, leaving Murray with a choice to make as to how much further he would embark as a pro boxer.

“Now the dust has settled after my fight I’d just like to say a few things," notes Murray. "I’d like to start by saying well done to Billy Joe Saunders and his team. He’s a world class talent and the better boxer won on the night – and I sincerely wish him all the best in future. I want to say a big thanks to my wife Gemma, our three children and our family and friends for their love and support. To Jamie Moore, Nigel Travis, MTK Global and Andrew Mikhail for all of their hard work – and to the legendary Oliver Harrison for everything he did for me over the years."

That choice has now been made, prideful of what he has managed to accomplish in a 13-year run which includes domestic and regional title wins.

“When I turned professional I wanted to hang them up without any regrets and taking all opportunities that were put my way and I did just that," insists Murray. "I went around the world and fought the best – and pushed them all the way too so I’m happy and proud of what I achieved.

“I also wanted to be able to say that all the hard work and sacrifices have been worth it and they have. I’m now looking forward to the next chapter of my life and spending it with my beautiful wife Gemma, our three beautiful children Archie, Amelia and Aisla – and our amazing family and friends. Over the years I’ve met some amazing people and our friendships have gone beyond boxing so I finish my career in a far better position then when I started it. I’m happy that my career is over now but definitely going to stay in the game in some way and will look into maybe starting my own stable of fighters in the future.

“Before I finish off I’d just like to say that boxing has took me to places and given me experiences that I could of only dreamed of. I hope that I’m an example of what you can achieve with hard work and proof that you can always turn your life around if you truly want to. Lastly, to everyone who has ever helped or supported me throughout my career and to the sport of boxing. It’s been some journey.”

[Counter-puncher]

Martin Murray still too high

[bigjack]

I was hoping he'd get another shot after beating up a couple of bin men next year,Nice fella,extremely boring fighter.

[brilo33]

sergio martinez is out of retirement

[Jimmy2020]

Surprised he's talking about his own stable of fighters considering he openly admits he doesn't watch (much) boxing. Good career. All the best to him going forward.

[Noxy]

Good luck to him. He fought the top guys.

[THEBUTCH]

Murray's had a fine career. He's retiring at the right time. He took things as far as he was able and deserves respect for taking some tough fights.

[REEVE]

Martin murray has had a fine career

I wish him all the best in retirement

[Omerta]

Was unlucky in Argentina and was tough as hell going as far as he did with a prime GGG

[brilo33]

murray was a very all round solid fighter , he was robbed on the cards against martinez in argentina , that was a brave fight to take as well . i would say of him a no nonsense fighter a true pro in the sense ,didnt muck about . i think he was better than barker and macklin though they never fought

[rd350lc]

Good luck to you Martin Murray .
good fighter in his prime .

[dookus]

Great servant to the game at the very highest level - the Martinez he fought was only a couple of years removed from P4P status after the Williams KO, and Golovkin was at his rib-crunching best. I'll always have him as the winner over Martinez whatever the record books say. Tough, tough man who turned his life around, with a big heart and decent skills.

[brilo33]

very much so, he was on the wrong path with crime and prison and wasting his life a way, but instead he turned it round and inspires people , he has only ever lost to world champions N'Jikam interim champ, he was in an era were there werent an easy world title about a real credit to the sport

[gb]

Hasn't he retired a couple of times already?! Seems a decent bloke, to be fair.

[THEBUTCH]

I think Murray has been teetering once or twice, but I'm pretty sure he will put a line under his retirement this time. It makes sense.

45 professional fights, 4 time world title challenger and British & Commonwealth middleweight champion. He's earned his spot in the sun

[rob h]

Great career. Fought all the top boys. Hope he keeps himself busy in retirement.

[margaret thatcher]

Gutted that he won't be callum's comeback opponent

[Loftgroov]

Solid career. Glad to hear he's retired. Had the fighting style that sooner or later would have left him punchy.

[stujones]

I think Loftgroov words of "solid career" sums it up well.

He was a good solid boxer. IMO not quite as good as Barker or Macklin and did very well to gain 4 deserved world title fights really on the back of close losses as opposed to world class wins

[unknownman79]

I feel more sorry for Murray's cars.
Always breaks them as he can't change to 2nd gear.