John Murray Aiming to be the Main Man in 2006.

contender · Post by **contender** » 07 Jan 2006, 19:38

SkySports
Thursday 5th January 2006

Manchester lightweight John Murray is ready to step into the spotlight in 2006.

The 21-year-old won all six of his bouts in 2005 and ended the year by being crowned WBC Youth Lightweight champion after an impressive win over Spaniard Nacho Mendoza.

That was Murray's 16th professional win, but he has been overshadowed by fellow prospects Amir Khan and Kevin Mitchell since turning professional in 2003.

Murray is scheduled to fight in Canada for the second time this February and believes that will be the start of a big year for the boxer chosen as one of Sky Sports News' Stars of 2006.

"I'm doing well," he told Sky Sports News. "I keep learning and I'm open to criticism all the time, I take it all on board and try to get better with every fight.

"I've boxed in America, boxed in Canada and I capped the year off by winning the title, so 2005 has been a fantastic year for me.

"I've not had the publicity other boxers around my weight and style have had. Amir Khan and Kevin Mitchell have had a lot of the limelight around me, but I have come up walking through the shadows and I know now it's time to grab the headlines. And I'm ready."

Murray began 2005 with points wins over Karl Taylor and Mounir Guebbas before taking his talents across the Atlantic on the Jeff Lacy-Robin Reid undercard in Tampa, Florida.

He dominated a lop-sided six-rounder against the experienced Johnny Walker - who also went in against DeMarcus Corley in 2005 - and won every round to impress not only the American public, but former lightweight world champion Jim Watt.

"He has been stepping up his opposition all along and last time out was his best performance against his toughest opponent," said Watt. "It's as though the better the opponent, the better he boxes.

"I saw him on the Reid-Lacy undercard in Florida, it was the first time he'd boxed away from home and he really looked the part. The fact that the American crowd were cheering him on at the end told me that we've got a special kid here."

And the man who only turned 21 two weeks ago has not had to look far for any inspiration.

While Khan and Mitchell may be the media stars of British boxing, Murray has the best of them all on his doorstep - and believes he can emulate Manchester's favourite son, undisputed light-welterweight king Ricky Hatton.

"He has given me the confidence that I can go away and do it," he said. "I've watched Ricky in the past and I really believe I can go all the way to the very top."

tonyevs · Post by **tonyevs** » 07 Jan 2006, 20:07

I can`t understand how Murray hasn`t grabbed more interest.

I`d favour him against Khan and Mitchell right now.

He is around the same age and weights as the other two and for me showed more promise, yet in this weeks BN Claude Abrams throws a little doubt on him yet gives Khan more hype once more...

I only bought BN this week for the British ratings.

Khan is rated in the lightweights for some reason, so I shall be keeping an eye on his future opponents ranking...and weight category

Also interesting to see Khans last opponent said Khan wasn`t as strong or heavy handed as Mitchell.

So the two top guys around Murrays weight both have big handicaps, Khan no punch(suspect chin) and Mitchell very poor defence.

Kevin can improve his with time in the gym, not sure what Khan can do about his problem, I think a lack of real punch will hold a fighter back on the world scene.

John Murray improves with every fight and fingers crossed he will continue to

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 07 Jan 2006, 20:27

Uhhh... Sorry, tonyevs - I fail to understand your criticisms of Khan's power.

I am a fan of the four young Super Feather/Lightweights/Lightwelter (don't forget Corcoran). Definately think Murray is going further than domestic title class for sure. However, to say Khan's power is a handicap in a post praising John, is a bit much.

Murray's power (or lack of it) is MUCH more of a concern than Amir's.

Let not forget, Amir was the only boxer to score a legitimate KD in the Olympics. Amir completely over powered the tough, if too small Daniel Thorpe - and KO'd him in the same round that Murray did.

Chin, I grant you - untested and it didn't look promising in that Amateur fight. I have no worries about Khan's power.

Khan for me is undoubtedly the biggest puncher of the four, but yes he is biggest of the four and I doubt he will ever fight any of them, cause he'll just be always too big.

As for Daniel Thorpe's claims, well he has been in with all of these four - perhaps I should mention Ricky Burns also, but I always consider him a stage above these at the moment cause of his Earl win. Thorpe's been in with him also. Perhaps its because Thorpe lasted longer with Mitchell than Murray, Khan and Corcoran (who all stopped him in the 2nd) that he can more vividly recall Mitchell's power. Statistically of course, it would indicate the opposite.

Freiheit · Post by **Freiheit** » 07 Jan 2006, 20:33

stujones wrote:Let not forget, Amir was the only boxer to score a legitimate KD in the Olympics. Amir completely over powered the tough, if too small Daniel Thorpe - and KO'd him in the same round that Murray did.

Who claims that he was the only one to do that?

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 07 Jan 2006, 20:46

Freiheit wrote:
stujones wrote:Let not forget, Amir was the only boxer to score a legitimate KD in the Olympics. Amir completely over powered the tough, if too small Daniel Thorpe - and KO'd him in the same round that Murray did.
Who claims that he was the only one to do that?

Was there someone else? It was definately said by the BBC in the lead up to the final, but perhaps thats not the most reliable source.

But still wasn't many others who scored legitimate KD's.

Freiheit · Post by **Freiheit** » 07 Jan 2006, 20:51

There wasnt that many - that is correct. Povetkin knockdown his opponent in the 1st round 4 times before it was stopped. I seem to remember 1 more fight but cant remember which one.

tonyevs · Post by **tonyevs** » 07 Jan 2006, 21:04

Thorpe said it himself that Khan is no big puncher, there is where I get my critism from, along with his other fights where there also he didn’t show dynamite despite being much bigger naturally than his opponent.

John Murray is fighting guys his own weight, and a much better class also, his punching I would at a guess rate above khans, he more than gets respect where as khan at the moment relies on over powering the opponent with quantity of punches…how many of his opponents have finished on their feet?

And has for the biggest puncher about out of the four, I would think its obviously Mitchell.

MTG · Post by **MTG** » 08 Jan 2006, 07:24

A GOOD FIGHT FOR BOTH WOULD BE

JOHN MURRAY V MARTIN WATSON

WATSON KO6

M.T GILLICK

Ady 1 · Post by **Ady 1** » 09 Jan 2006, 09:02

john murray will be the man in 2006 ive no doubt wot so ever! as for him fighting martin watson, murray inside two!!!!!!

THEBUTCH · Post by **THEBUTCH** » 09 Jan 2006, 09:27

All the guys mentioned are top notch (Khan, Mitchell and Murray) and looking good. What singles out Murray over Khan and Mitchell is the fact he's walking the walk more so and stepping up the opposition to a serious level. The rise has been rapid.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 09 Jan 2006, 09:32

To be fair to Mitchell, I thought his last opponent - for the IBF intercontinental belt was a step up. Not as strong as the WBC Youth title challenger that Murray had, but a step up nevertheless.

Boxing Addict · Post by **Boxing Addict** » 09 Jan 2006, 09:45

Murray's definately better than Mitchell, don't know about Khan though (talented), its too early to compare against Khan who needs a good 6 or 8 fights before we can compare.

Murray would KO Mitchell right now. I like Murray, if looked after properly should be world champion in the next 2 years or so (Hatton style). Proper old school fighter.

Mitchell has fought no one so far, can't rate him at all, I doubt he will get to top, WBU maybe!

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 09 Jan 2006, 11:14

Don't forget Ricky Burns as well, he has already beaten Graham Earl and steps right up to the mark in Feburary against Alex Arthur.

I do think that the Arthur fight may be a bit to soon for him, but fair play to him for taking his chance.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 09 Jan 2006, 11:38

Looking at Khan's record on here, he is still slated to fight Thomas - but not in his next fight (fifth?) but on his fight after that (sixth?).

I saw it as a step back for his next fight (after his loss to Carey) but to fight him in his 6th fight is hardly a step in the right direction.

b_hammersley · Post by **b_hammersley** » 10 Jan 2006, 06:50

I agree that all of these guys are good (Khan, Murray etc) but would agree with MTG, Martin Watson and Ricky Burns would hammer any of them, NO CONTEST. I would go as far to say that Khan and Murrays handlers wouldn't go near Watson or Burns with a barge pole, cause they've put in too much time and money for them to get beaten so early in their career. I've watched Martin and Ricky many times in sparring and have to say that they are "old school" fighters, tough as old boots and don't fear anyone.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 10 Jan 2006, 06:59

b_hammersley wrote:I agree that all of these guys are good (Khan, Murray etc) but would agree with MTG, Martin Watson and Ricky Burns would hammer any of them, NO CONTEST. I would go as far to say that Khan and Murrays handlers wouldn't go near Watson or Burns with a barge pole, cause they've put in too much time and money for them to get beaten so early in their career. I've watched Martin and Ricky many times in sparring and have to say that they are "old school" fighters, tough as old boots and don't fear anyone.

Ricky Burns may get found out because of his lack of a knockout punch , he fights Alex Arthur next and I feel that the fight will go the same way as when Arthur fought Limond, stoppage in about 8-9 rounds for Arthur.

I've not seen enough of Watson to give an honest opinion, what i do know is we could be in for some exciting fights in the furure, I just hope that they do get to face each other. We had a similar situation a few years ago with the LightMiddles lots of good names Roberts, Alexander, Williams, Takaloo etc. but thay never faced each other in their primes

b_hammersley · Post by **b_hammersley** » 10 Jan 2006, 07:30

Fair point about Ricky Burns KO record, he hasn't had many stopagges but his power is well under-rated, he's one of these guys who is happy to cruise to a points victory, cause he can certainly bang, but doesn't chase the K.O. It will be an interesting one beaten him and Arthurs, obviously Alex has the greater experience but Burns will not be daunted in the slightest, he has bags of talent and self belief. It would be good to have Watson take on Khan but can't see it happening. I believe Martin would take away Amirs advantage of boxing on the outside with his long arms, he would shut him down and K.O him. Amir IS talented but IMO his chin is his downfall, time will tell.

Deserter · Post by **Deserter** » 10 Jan 2006, 07:40

Terence wrote:the Guardian reading idiots that previously looked down on boxing

Easy on the stereotypes mate - I'm a Guardian reader

grim reaper · Post by **grim reaper** » 10 Jan 2006, 16:32

John Murrays Handlershave already offered the Bout to Ricky Burns Last Year but it was rickys camp that declined the offer for the fight.

MTG · Post by **MTG** » 10 Jan 2006, 16:35

IF THIS IS TRUE THEN OFFER IT AGAIN AND SEE WHO DECLINES.

M.T GILLICK

b_hammersley · Post by **b_hammersley** » 10 Jan 2006, 18:41

Would be very surprised if the Burns camp turnes down that fight. The only way Ricky would have turned it down was that he was getting offered peanuts, but even then I'm 100% would have taken it at a drop of a hat. You do hear a lot of this kind of stuff in the boxing circle, (I offered him a fight and he turned it down sort of stuff) 99% is total bollocks. I work with Kevin Anderson and in the last year one of the scottish prospects (I won't mention any names, but lets say he comes from the east of scotland) was saying that he dropped Kev in sparring, even though they hadn't sparred!! Of course we just put the word out that he could be Kevs next opponent, and of course his camp turned it down flat. Don't believe everything you hear in this game.

tonyevs · Post by **tonyevs** » 11 Jan 2006, 08:06

Am I the only one who thinks Ricky Burns fight against Alex Arthur is a very silly fight to take .

I only see Ricky getting bashed up, I would have liked to see him develop another year atleast before facing somebody of Arthurs calibre.

I think, as good as a prospect Ricky Burns is, he is still just that at the moment...a prospect, and the Earl win flattered, take it a bit more slow with the kid otherwise he will get spoilt before he truly develops.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 11 Jan 2006, 09:36

Nope - far too soon for Ricky, I completely agree.

b_hammersley · Post by **b_hammersley** » 11 Jan 2006, 10:01

Don't think it's drastically too early for Burns to take on Alex, fair enough he could have done with another few fights but what do you do if you get offered a crack at the title? It would be the case of "take the chance now or forget it". Burns can box, he can take a good shot and give a good shot so for me it's a good fight. Alex is favourite, and rightly so, but if Burns takes the fight to Alex it'll be a cracker. Saying that if he does sit back he could get well outpointed. There has been many a guy whos taken a chance and won the title. Everybody and their auntie was saying Kevin Anderson wasn't ready to fight for the commonwealth title, and look what happened there.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 11 Jan 2006, 10:14

b_hammersley wrote:Don't think it's drastically too early for Burns to take on Alex, fair enough he could have done with another few fights but what do you do if you get offered a crack at the title? It would be the case of "take the chance now or forget it". Burns can box, he can take a good shot and give a good shot so for me it's a good fight. Alex is favourite, and rightly so, but if Burns takes the fight to Alex it'll be a cracker. Saying that if he does sit back he could get well outpointed. There has been many a guy whos taken a chance and won the title. Everybody and their auntie was saying Kevin Anderson wasn't ready to fight for the commonwealth title, and look what happened there.

If Burns boxes to his best he may last the distance, i just think that Arthur is superior in every department, he's a better boxer and more of a puncher.
I have full respect for Burns for taking this fight, and wish him the best , but i can't see him pulling out a win.

One question did Burns ever box Arthur as a amatuer?