Murray comes through challenge
Amir Khan is making his American debut this Saturday while Kevin Mitchell fights Michael Katsidas for a world title as British lightweights take over the world. One man hoping to join them is John Murray who added the European belt to his collection with a hard-fought victory over a brave Garry Buckland.
It was a high tempo combative affair and although Buckland raised his game with a dogged display class prevailed, as Murray had just a bit too much for the 23-year old Welshman.
The fight started at a hundred miles an hour and that was kept up for the duration. Straight from the start Murray was the aggressor, the Manchester fighter worked Buckland’s body landing some decent hooks to his ribs in the opening stanza and it looked like it might be a short night’s work for the British champion.
The next three rounds were Murray’s as he pummelled Buckland with vicious uppercuts and body shots, but the challenger wouldn’t drop and continued to audaciously throw shots of his own.
Buckland was showing great heart, going into this bout he would have known he wasn’t at the level Murray is, but still he gave his all and was an example for underdogs the world over as he fully lived up to his nom de guerre “Dynamo”.
The Welshman got his just desserts for his industrious work in the fifth as Murray stepped off the gas a little bit and allowed the Cardiff-born scrapper a look in, which he took with gusto landing a few heavy punches that made Murray think.
However that was as good as things got for Buckland, Murray was fresh for the sixth and came out a new man as the pair went toe-to-toe. Some neck-snapping uppercuts from Murray found there mark, while Buckland’s attempts at returning fire where swallowed up by Murrays gloves as the Man City loving fighter looked towards ending things.
The next four rounds must have been gruelling for Buckland as Murray kept up the pace and dished out a beating. He gave Buckland everything he had but like a stubborn stray dog outside the butchers, the plucky Welshman kept coming back for more.
Unfortunately Buckland is only human and by the ninth and 10th rounds he began to resemble a man who had repeatedly run into a brick wall. Murray was still executing shots with finesse, picking and choosing where to land and quite frankly he must have been baffled as to how Buckland was still standing in front of him.
There were grim faces in Dynamo’s corner as he began to run out of steam and in the eleventh round the ref had decided enough was enough when a right handed uppercut from Murray buckled Buckland’s legs.
A great night for both boxers. Murray took the European belt and as it was his third defence of the British he had the Lonsdale for keeps. His reputation continues to grow, he still has that perfect record and with these honours he can look to taking on a big name, have a big pay day and put himself in contentions for a world title shot.
As for Buckland he has also enhanced his reputation no end. He fought like a warrior and although he was never really in with much chance of winning all credit must go to him. Even more impressive is the fact he took this fight with just three weeks notice and he should have a long career as a decent domestic fighter.
Next for Murray someone the ilk of Juan Diaz would be a great setup up. In an ideal world he would have the winner of the Mitchell v Katsidas fight.
It’s getting awful crowded between all the British boys on the world scene. Sooner or later they are going to have to start ruling each other out in order to discover who the best of British is.
Tags: