Ended up being a harder nights work than anticipated, but Lawal deserves some credit... good effort on late notice but he obviously was already in top shape, he proved durable and made for a good fight. He'll make for some good fights at MW. Murray just looked frustrated at times, understandable given the number of opponent changes. He's ended the year on a win though, which is a positive... but if he can still make MW comfortably then I think he needs to move back down if he can get big fights. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind seeing him and Paul Smith go at it.
I was going to say the same as last poster, would love to see Murray v P Smith. Unlike most posters I think Paul Smith beats him as is mire skillful and a bigger puncher.
Good fight, cross roads for both men. I'd lean towards Murray. Smith has more snap in his shots and the better punch variety, but I think Murray would be too strong. But he would have to let his hands go more and be better than what he showed tonight.
I think Murray is done at any kind of decent level to be honest. Too many tough fights. Maybe he'd have a better run at MW again if he can make it as he doesn't have his size advantage over most of the guys at SMW and that was a big part of his game
Murray has missed the boat regarding world title ambitions. He should have held a belt, at some point. I can only see a few domestic pay days left. He looks beatable now, even below world level.
like murray loads but its all back wards steps since beating Martinez imo needs to weigh the future up imo
The referee really ruined that fight IMO. He got on Murray's back all night and allowed Lawal to spoil it. It was ironic that it was Murray who lost a point for the head butt after he took them all night. At the same time, Murray should have had him out of there, especially in the ninth. He lost his focus and discipline. At 34, he's had a lot of hard fights but he's got a few decent pay days left and nobody can begrudge him them. He's got to earn a living. However, I feel that if deep down he still wants to win a world title, then he's gotta do something drastic because he's not improving, he's not breaking any patterns, he's very predictable. It's so frustrating cos I desperately want him to do well.