Murray Vs Abraham November 21st

Martin Murray to face Arthur Abraham for WBO world title
Martin Murray (left) is a former British and Commonwealth middleweight champion
Briton Martin Murray will fight German Arthur Abraham for the WBO world super middleweight title in Hannover, Germany on 21 November.

Murray, 33, from St Helens, moved up to the weight having failed in his previous three attempts at landing a world title at middleweight.

"I am thrilled to have the chance to face Arthur," said Murray.

"It's the fight I targeted when I chose to move up. I'm at my natural weight now and believe I'll become champion."

Above quote is from the BBC...

So what are everyone's thoughts on this match up? Over the years Martin Murray has become a bit of a favourite of mine and the shellacking he received from GGG only proved my point that he's one brave son of a gun. As we saw from the Smith fights Abraham looks well past his best. Is this the moment Murray finally gets his hand a World title?

Judging on Murray's performances against GGG and Martinez he should win IMO.

Can't see him ever being champ if he can't beat a worn AA.

Interesting fight. Should be very competitive. Think Murray is hugely overrated by some. Sturm certainly beat him and we saw later on just how bad Martinez had become. But Abraham is there for the taking. Murray won't have his usual size advantage and I think he will be scarred from Golovkin, however the blueprint to beat Abraham is clear as day and Murray is a pretty smart ring technician.

Really like Murray's chances here. I thought the Golovkin beating might have worn him out but he's looked sharp enough since (albeit against poor opposition).

If he can win this there are loads of options available to him at 168 (domestically).

Paul and Callum Smith, Groves and DeGale.

Hearn getting the easiest option again....Tried to sneak Paul smith a belt..

Not another lame paper Brit.......Come on Arthur one last big effort.....

Hearns has made the fight because he thinks Murray can win (so do i). He's attempting to make a 3-way series between groves and degale more lucrative.

Bored and looking for a bite Truss?

I really like Murray, have to agree with Haz in that he hasn't looked too damaged by the Golovkin result and I'd love to see him win then beat groves.

He's attempting to get a soft title for his charge like all good promoters do.....

But there are enough guff alphabet holders over here as it is...

Be harder to get a belt on ebay soon..

Kareem61 wrote:Bored and looking for a bite Truss?

I really like Murray, have to agree with Haz in that he hasn't looked too damaged by the Golovkin result and I'd love to see him win then beat groves.

I'm 100% consistent mate...........Degale, Brook, Frampo, Selby and McDonnell all fair enough...

Is it not Eddies job to get title shots for his fighters? Don't see how it's him taking the easy option. Sounds like Sauerland approached him. Could end up with egg on their face.

We'll see...Abraham is past it...

Has this fight been confirmed?

I was just reading last night that Hopkins v Abraham was going to happen.

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2015/09/arthur-abraham-vs-bernard-hopkins-possible-for-2016/

Murray should be able to grind out a decision if he can get a fair shake with judges and keep the workrate up.

Atila wrote:Has this fight been confirmed?

I was just reading last night that Hopkins v Abraham was going to happen.

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2015/09/arthur-abraham-vs-bernard-hopkins-possible-for-2016/

That's like reading 606v2 for news! Confirmed yes.

YThey're all queuing up for Arthur. Murray can win this on workrate and probably better fundamentals. He's a brave lad so good luck to him. Can't get excited about it though.

Fair play to Hearn for getting Murray this fight so soon after his pasting by GGG at middle. Not long moved up and gets a title shot. There's probably loads of fighters that should be ahead of him in the queue but Hearn seems to have a magic wand.

Abraham wins on points or Kate stoppage. He's still better than Murray.

I dont think its much of queue lined up behind Abraham. Its been Paul Smith and Robert Stieglitz for about 4 years now.

Really hoping Murray gets the W against a shopworn Abraham. Murray doesn't have that great a fan base and could only see George Groves being one of his early defences.

catchweight wrote:I dont think its much of queue lined up behind Abraham. Its been Paul Smith and Robert Stieglitz for about 4 years now.

Exactly. It's such a juicy cherry people queue jump for multiple attempts to bite it.

I meant that Murray has only just moved to the weight so there must be fighters more worthy of a title shot at the weight. Don't ask me to name them though.

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:Hearn getting the easiest option again....Tried to sneak Paul smith a belt..

Not another lame paper Brit.......Come on Arthur one last big effort.....

But Broner gets a pass............

More hypocritical bullsh!t, beginning to verge on racism now.

Another bite at the cherry for someone who I've always felt is fringe world level but not really the real mccoy. For him & his family it'll be nice for him to get a strap & payday but I can't see how he can ever be recognised a world class or a 'real' champ simply by beating a faded AA.....

TopHat24/7 wrote:

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:Hearn getting the easiest option again....Tried to sneak Paul smith a belt..

Not another lame paper Brit.......Come on Arthur one last big effort.....

But Broner gets a pass............

More hypocritical bullsh!t, beginning to verge on racism

Doesn't get any cheaper.. Nasty little man

Nasty? What? My calling your BS again or suggesting that your anti-Brit vendetta, in total hypocrisy to your approach to US fighters of the same ilk, is verging on racist (given that the only difference in your attitude and commentary on near identical fighters is their race/nationality)?

hazharrison wrote:Really like Murray's chances here. I thought the Golovkin beating might have worn him out but he's looked sharp enough since (albeit against poor opposition).

If he can win this there are loads of options available to him at 168 (domestically).

Paul and Callum Smith, Groves and DeGale.

168 plays to Abraham's advantage...

But his workrate is so sparse...One would think Murray should outwork him....

However I had Smith v Abraham 1 a draw and the cards were crazy....

So who knows..

TopHat24/7 wrote:

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:Hearn getting the easiest option again....Tried to sneak Paul smith a belt..

Not another lame paper Brit.......Come on Arthur one last big effort.....

But Broner gets a pass............

More hypocritical bullsh!t, beginning to verge on racism now.

That's a bit daft, Top Hat. Even if he's on a wind up, at worst he's just giving a bit of stick about British fighters. If that's your definition of racism, you need to get a grip.

If Murray sets a high work rate he should be able to win this on points.

I honestly don't know what Murray's actually done at Super middle to warrant a title shot.

I have got to agree with Truss, title shots these day's are handed out to any Tom Dick or Harry, you lose multiple title fights and still get another bite of the cherry.

The promoters must have these World boxing organisations in their back pocket.  

I always preferred the old way, fight for the right, working your way up the rankings then fighting a title eliminator, sadly it looks a thing of the past, boxing's loss I'm afraid.

It's nothing new, Walcott lost three title shots on the bounce, did nothing of note for the next year, loses a non-title fight and gets a fourth shot at the title.

Hammersmith harrier wrote:It's nothing new, Walcott lost three title shots on the bounce, did nothing of note for the next year, loses a non-title fight and gets a fourth shot at the title.

2 of those fights were against Joe Louis, 1 a rematch after been beaten in a very close S/D, also in an era were multiple belts and champions didn't exist, no comparison.

That makes it worse Nico, that with one belt he was granted chance after chance after chance.

Nico the gman wrote:

Hammersmith harrier wrote:It's nothing new, Walcott lost three title shots on the bounce, did nothing of note for the next year, loses a non-title fight and gets a fourth shot at the title.

2 of those fights were against Joe Louis, 1 a rematch after been beaten in a very close S/D, also in an era were multiple belts and champions didn't exist, no comparison.

I agree. Walcott's losing performances against Louis were of such quality, he remained a top contender at heavyweight, thereby earning him a vacant title shot against Charles (the other outstanding claimant to the title Louis left behind). After losing to Ezzard, Walcott worked his way back to the head of the division with some sterling victories only to slip up against Rex Layne (Walcott cited a hand injury - likelihood is he had a bad night against a good fighter who turned up in shape). Walcott was better connected than Layne and so went on to rematch Charles (losing a decision again). That was probably the only shot he didn't deserve (certainly not over Layne).

The rematch was much closer than the first fight. Walcott hurt Charles badly early and had him out on his feet late. Ezzard's team, including Arcel, didn't want a third fight but Charles's management insisted (and the fight sold because Walcott was clearly still one of the best in the world).

This is plainly different to Murray. Good luck to him but he isn't anywhere close to the top of the 168 pound division and he landed the Golovkin fight because others ranked above him wouldn't take it.

Murray loses this he may try and fight groves next. Great options at smw for British fighters.

Although we were saying that about middleweight a couple of years ago, with barker, Murray, lee & Macklin, and not one of those fights came off.

I'm pleased for Murray. Good honest pro. Not scared to travel or take the big challenges. Been a bit unlucky with decisions.

I can think of less deserving challengers.

As mentioned above. If he keeps his work rate up, I think he should do it.

hazharrison wrote:

Nico the gman wrote:

Hammersmith harrier wrote:It's nothing new, Walcott lost three title shots on the bounce, did nothing of note for the next year, loses a non-title fight and gets a fourth shot at the title.

2 of those fights were against Joe Louis, 1 a rematch after been beaten in a very close S/D, also in an era were multiple belts and champions didn't exist, no comparison.

I agree. Walcott's losing performances against Louis were of such quality, he remained a top contender at heavyweight, thereby earning him a vacant title shot against Charles (the other outstanding claimant to the title Louis left behind). After losing to Ezzard, Walcott worked his way back to the head of the division with some sterling victories only to slip up against Rex Layne (Walcott cited a hand injury - likelihood is he had a bad night against a good fighter who turned up in shape). Walcott was better connected than Layne and so went on to rematch Charles (losing a decision again). That was probably the only shot he didn't deserve (certainly not over Layne).

The rematch was much closer than the first fight. Walcott hurt Charles badly early and had him out on his feet late. Ezzard's team, including Arcel, didn't want a third fight but Charles's management insisted (and the fight sold because Walcott was clearly still one of the best in the world).

This is plainly different to Murray. Good luck to him but he isn't anywhere close to the top of the 168 pound division and he landed the Golovkin fight because others ranked above him wouldn't take it.

Spot on Haz, Murray and Walcott comparison is night and day, good luck to Murray, but does he deserve this title shot, sorry no.

Good fight i'm look forward to the night as a whole with the other fights that are on as well as this one.

I hope MM can do it

I hope he can't. .

Murray is fully qualified for a fight with Abraham. Lets not pretend otherwise.

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:I hope he can't. .

You have said you hate average fighters having being handed titles so on your criteria why are you so keen to see AA win, i actually think Murray is a decent fighter

im long past caring about who deserves title shots and boxing politics these days, couldnt give a sh!t. all i care about as a fan is decent fights being made and this one has the makings of being a cracker

people are making a lot of murray being the one stepping up in weight but for me he's still the bigger man and AA has never really been the force at SM than he was at middle. be a close fight this one but hope murray can do it

Murray took a little bit of a sustained beating from GGG, but showed his toughness and hopefully he hasn't regressed much because this is a easily winnable fight for him.

AA has never really been a super middleweight, his best win was a 12th round KO of Taylor and his only other notable wins have been against Steiglitz who was a weak paper champion.

Murray is a better version than Paul Smith, and is also probably better suited to 168 then smith so think his workrate and strength will get him the win, if the judges see it that way which isn't a given.

wheelchair1991 wrote:

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:I hope he can't. .

You have said you hate average fighters having being handed titles so on your criteria why are you so keen to see AA win, i actually think Murray is a decent fighter

I've already pointed out why.

See another two 'average' Brits won world title this weekend by knocking out a paid of Yanks. Needless to say the Americans would probably have been 'worthy' of the title......

RanjitPatel wrote:I meant that Murray has only just moved to the weight so there must be fighters more worthy of a title shot at the weight. Don't ask me to name them though.

WBO and Britain....

Check the rankings Ranj you might be in them..

Hi, my name is Mr Top of Hatfield. Pleasure to meet you all.

I have decided it is a good idea I refrain from making non-constructive statements to just goad a reaction about America. They are done to aggravate a specific poster and by golly its just not on!

I apologise for the time and space I have wasted for readers of this forum by trying to provoke arguments with banal comments.

I refuse to foe this poster for reasons I will only indulge to my wife and pictures of John Major. So I shall just have to learn to play nice.

Regards,

Tory Boy.

Hands Of Stone wrote:Murray took a little bit of a sustained beating from GGG, but showed his toughness and hopefully he hasn't regressed much because this is a easily winnable fight for him.

AA has never really been a super middleweight, his best win was a 12th round KO of Taylor and his only other notable wins have been against Steiglitz who was a weak paper champion.

Murray is a better version than Paul Smith, and is also probably better suited to 168 then smith so think his workrate and strength will get him the win, if the judges see it that way which isn't a given.

Must admit I thought it was a Chavez - Rosario career ending slap........

Hard to say till he fights a decent opponent whether he still is near the top of his game...

168 and the GGG battering is for me AA's best hope..............Can't see him winning the fight on workrate..