13th October 1995

It's being quite a while but I've wanted to write about this fight for such a long time, so please excuse my grammar while I tell you my thoughts on a fight that has being long cast into the annals of history of UK boxing.

It was Friday the 13th of October 1995. I was only 14 years old but I remember the fight very well. I was the ultimate boxing geek and anyone with the slightest knowledge of boxing knew that James Murray vs Drew Docherty was certain to be a fine match up for the classic British Bantamweight title.

Docherty 14-2-1 (3 Ko's) was coming off a devastating loss to the then highly promising Alfred Kotey in a WBO title fight. He had beaten Steve Robinson, joe Kelly and Donnie Hood on route to capturing the British title. Known for his silky skills and fitness Drew had being a star amateur but the Murray fight was a pivotal one for him. Another loss at this stage would have left him very little options indeed. 8 months inactivity since his loss to Kotey added to the difficult task ahead of him.

Murray was 15-1 (5 Ko's). He was the Scottish bantamweight champion and was trained by Walter McGowan as an amateur. Despite only boxing once outside of Scotland his career was beginning to pick up serious momentum following an early career loss. He had captured good wins over quality domestic names such as Shaun Anderson, Louis veitch and Adey Benton. He had also began to demonstrate improved hitting power stopping four of his last six opponents including impressive stoppages of Veitch, Benton and tough journeyman Keith jones.

Despite the champions experience Murray was strongly fancied in some quarters. I recall boxing news picking him to win- and avenge an amateur defeat to Docherty.

The fight took place at a dinner show at The Hospitality Inn in Glasgow. The crowd cheered wildly as the challenger made his way to the ring to bagpipe music. Docherty followed shortly behind the challenger and as both fighters bounced around the ring there was a certain air of anticipation from the crowd and commentary team. This wasn't your run of the mill British title defence. It was a dangerous challenger hoping for brighter days, against an unsung talented champion who had failed spectacularly in two attempts to move into fringe world class.

No sooner had the opening bell rung, then Docherty found himself on the floor from a left hand to the chin. No standing 8 counts back then and Murray buoyed by his success launched a feverish attack to head and body throughout the first. Docherty struggled to hold him off as the switch hitting newmains fighter sent powerful shots into the champions midriff. For those trying to picture murrays style think of a cross between Gary Davies and John Simpson- that kind if ilk. The solid nightmare kind. Docherty somehow kept his boxing together but as the bell rang at the end of a wild first it didn't look likely Murray would have to wait long to lift the Lonsdale belt.

Round two started with more of the same. Murray simply looking a weight division or two stronger as he muscled Drew around the ring. On the odd occasion that Murray would fall into a clinch though Docherty would use his experience to score classily on the inside. Docherty though seemed to be punching under water, perhaps rust and memories of his loss to Kotey were hampering him but slowly he seemed to be getting a tiny foothold.

In the third round things shifted towards the champion. He started to get his boxing together- his movement and jab began to expose short comings in murrays defence. He began to initiate the exchanges and through the fourth the champion continued to make Murray miss and catch him with counters. Murray appeared gassed already, falling into clinches and trying to restrain Drews arms. Murray still stayed busy but at this stage the fight appeared to be moving into Dochertys favour.

The fifth was an impressive round too for the champion, his classier shots began to take him clear of his challenger subduing the Murray crowd.

A big effort was needed by Murray, he came out aggressively and a beautifully timed counter left sent the champion down for the second time. Murray switched tactics brilliantly and getting close to the champion he began to make his strength tell again. Murray bled from two small cuts at this stage he'd picked up earlier in the fight but his sheer effort was putting him back into contention.

Heartened by the knockdown it seems, Murray picked things up again in the seventh and his heavy punches were rewarded with yet another knockdown as a right hook sent the champion back into the ropes. Murray poured everything on trying to force the stoppage. Docherty simply could not trade with the challenger such was the ferocity of his attack. John Keane appeared on the very fringes of stopping the contest. Bravely Docherty made it to the end of the round but he looked certain to be stopped in the next couple of the sessions.

The eighth was another excellent round for the challenger- he backed the champion to the ropes and landed several dangerous looking flurries. Dochertys clever movement and odd counter barely kept him in the fight but the momentum lay firmly with James Murray.

Docherty and Murray met the bell for the ninth keenly and both challenger and champion fought the session at a frenetic rate, Murray so close to a stoppage at times landed heavily throughout before a superb left uppercut suddenly caused the challengers legs to splay. Murray looked hurt... It was a truly incredible round.

Docherty was a long way behind at this stage but his more compact, tidy style has allowed him to last the course better and in the tenth Murray was clearly beginning to tire. He battled hard refusing to take a backward step but the neater counters from the champion had him looking stunned several times. A couple of times the brave challenger looked to his corner seemingly looking to find that extra drive.

He did find it and though Docherty was beginning to close the gap murrays heart was keeping him in the fight and making any thoughts Docherty had of a victory still very unlikely. In the eleventh murray took a couple of sharp counters but shouted to himself willing himself on. Dochertys brave comeback was beginning to build but murrays seeming invulnerability to the champions punches would have broken many fighters hearts ... Still it was Docherty now in command and Murray looking tired but needing only to stand up to become the British champion.

The final round began with a sporting touch of gloves as two of the bravest of Scotland's bravehearts searched into their souls for an amazing victory. Docherty looking for an unlikely knockout and Murray simply trying to navigate his tiring body through the final three minutes. They traded throughout Murray finally forced onto the back foot as Docherty desperately tried to salvage things.

With one minute to go Docherty landed a heavy cross and Murray wilted. He backed to the ropes and a second punch saw the challenger pitch forward to the canvas almost of his own accord. Poor Murray couldn't make the count... The seriousness of his injurys was not at the time apparent to those present or indeed the champion but Drew didn't parade around the ring he immediately sort to comfort his downed opponent .

What took place following the fight were terrible scenes that do deserve to be buried forever nor time wasted on discussing them, but what shouldn't be forgotton is murrays incredible challenge and Dochertys brave, brave defence. This fight was one of the classic British title fights and I feel privileged to have watched it.

Rip James Murray , I hope your family are well and proud of your achievements. And likewise Drew Docherty I'm very glad you acquitted yourself so well against Daniel jiminez and proved your talent..

Great fight, thanks for reading.

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