Filed under: Boxing
John Murray held on to his European lightweight title after a hard-fought points win over the relatively unknown Spaniard Karim El Ouazghari in a thrilling contest at Bethnal Green's York Hall.The Manchester fighter was expected to cruise past the Barcelona native but found it much harder than expected as he looked rusty after a seven-month absence from the ring.
It took a dogged display from Murray in a messy contest to maintain his impressive 31-fight unbeaten run - the longest unblemished record held by any active British fighter.
The European champion had openly admitted before the fight that he had seen very little of El Ouazghari and he was almost taught a harsh lesson as the challenger began brightly.
Murray pressed El Ouazghari back but was sluggish and lacking sharpness as the 31-year-old Spaniard landed numerous left hooks to fend off the Manchester fighter.
The effect of El Ouazghari's punches could be seen clearly on the face of Murray who was marking up badly as he continued to get caught needlessly going forward.
But as the fight progressed, Murray began to take control as the challenger's punches became more ragged and less powerful.
A tit-for-tat exchange in the fourth round got the crowd excited and Murray began to get more success when he eventually got close to his awkward opponent.
The Manchester man was doing just about enough to win most of the middle rounds and looked fairly comfortable on the scorecards.
Any doubts about the eventual result were cast aside in the 11th round when El Ouazghari was docked a point for a headbutt - a harsh decision from the referee who had failed to caution the Spaniard throughout the fight.
And when the referee adjudged one of Murray's shots to have put El Ouazghari on the floor, despite it looking more like a loss of balance, it was all over for the plucky challenger.
Murray lost a point himself in the last, but even though his performance was below-par, he finished a deserved and comfortable winner by unanimous decision.
REACTION:
Murray put his indifferent showing down to his lack of activity in the ring and reckons he will be a lot sharper come his next fight.
And the Manchester fighter believes his hard-earned victory proved how good he is, despite the manner of victory.
He said: "I think the seven months out of the ring has done me no favours. It was a tough fight and trying to get back into the routine and go through the gears was hard.
"It's been a long time out of the ring and I was very rusty. I struggled to get going but quality fighters find a way to win and that's what I have done. I found a way even though I was nowhere near my best."
Murray paid tribute to his intrepid opponent who gave his all to make it a thrilling affair when most thought he would be brushed aside easily.
"He came over and was very hungry to win a title, but quality fighters like me get through it. I was getting stronger as I went on and I think I could have stopped him if there was another two or three rounds."
WHAT'S NEXT:
Murray was supposed to face Kevin Mitchell instead of El Ouazghari, but the Londoner pulled out of the fight claiming he wasn't offered enough cash. However, it is hoped the two British fighters will meet soon in what would be a highly-anticipated domestic clash. If the Mitchell fight falls through, Murray will be hoping for the world title shot he has been patiently waiting for.
FIGHT OF THE UNDERCARD:
Billy Joe Saunders v Turgay Uzun
Saunders had an easy night against the veteran Turkish fighter who stood right in front of the Beijing Olympian and allowed him to pick his shots at will in a one-sided affair. Uzun barely landed a single shot in two rounds before his corner pulled him out at the end of the second round with an ear problem causing concern.
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/04/03/not-at-his-best-but-john-murrays-record-unbeaten-run-continues/
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