I must be in the minority because I though all things considered (13 months out etc) that Billy Joe put in a decent performance. Martin Murray is on the slide yes....... but what a tough hard ****er he is.
He showed some lovely flashes. But he did seem a bit slower and his footwork though very good was not as good as normal.
Murray at this stage in his career would not last beyond 3 or 4 rounds against Smith or Canelo. Murray is one really tough man but was semi retired and it's been two years since Ndam beat him fair and square and it's clear he has regressed since then. In perspective look what Callum Smith done to Ndam, blew him away. He made him look like the fridge world level middleweight he is. Were as Murray is arguably not even British title quality now and is really a middleweight too and Saunders never came close to blowing him away and hasnt looked near his best in any fight at 168.
I’m surprised at people complaining about Murray. What do you expect from MM. at his very best he was a limited boxer, no power, no engine. And no no no he never “ should “ have been a world champion. That accolade does go to Macklin who did beat sturm. Murray fell short every time he stepped up.
Saunders’ style isn’t to blow people away, you can still look impressive without knocking someone out. Saunders often boxes to the level of his opponent, if he is 100% on his game I wouldn’t rule him out against anyone
No would I. There was worrying signs, regards his speed and footwork being slower. He isnt a big puncher but he should be getting anvery old semi retired well passed his best Martin Mureay out of there.
Why? He was ring rusty and won pretty much every round, why should he change his style just to try and stop someone
Wasn't particularly entertaining watching BJS hitting a moving heavy bag for 12 rounds but he did the job and I look forward to his next fight in August 2021 against a mandatory 3 or 4 years past their prime. James Tennyson looked good though last night.
I never said he should change his style, my point is he is not as good at 168 as he is at 160. With his style he should still have been able to stop this version of Martin Murray.
Saunders cost me a packet last night not being able to stop the shot to pieces immobile ghost of old Martin Murray. Not happy.
He doesn't have to do that to win the fight, but it may have helped him win some support. Which in turn would boost his earnings in the future.
Which leads me to something I thought last night. BJS was unbackable at 1/33, yet only 9/4 for a stoppage, which is a very lop-sided book. At the end of the ninth, with Murray in trouble and barely punching back, Saunders' trainer was telling him to take a rest in the tenth while Jamie Moore was hugging Murray as if to say this is your last round. Saunders did take a rest, for the rest of the fight. We talk about corruption on the scorecards but to me this is equally worthy of looking at.
