I don't know if this post is real? He's the one fighter out there who certainly wasn't 'gifted' anything... went to Germany & IMO beat Strum, likewise Argentina & beat Martinez... the lad headlined Echo last time out, for the first time ever! if anything his problem has been that hes too workmanlike, never mouths off. He's been very unlucky, was beat fairly by GGG, went longer than anyone expected / hoped. Groves & Abraham both beat him fairly, but he certainly showed again he belongs with them! To suggest anything else is simply stupid!
He wasn't robbed against Sturm, that's the narrative about bouts in Germany but the decision was close and fair. Agree he was unlucky against Martinez. Lets be honest, he hasn't done himself any favours recently. He blew the Abraham fight as he was far too cautious/negative and Abraham was obviously there to be beaten. There is no shame in losing to Groves, however he was absolutely awful against Nuhu Lawal who was basically a welterweight fighting at Middleweight. He then followed that up with a bang average performance v Rosado. Worse still his moaning was tough to take after both bouts. As much as Hearn tried to talk the 'beautiful brutality' up before Rosado, Murray's style is tedious and boring. High gloves, low output and little power is not a recipe for entertainment. Respect him as he is tough and was so against a prime GGG. But got no interest in watching him and this 'world class' stuff needs packing in.
I think the GGG fight took too much out of him to be honest. His own toughness went against him when he fought him cos the fight was done by the mid rounds but he hung in there till round 11 (and would have easily done the 12) and took far too much punishment. The move up to super middleweight was ill advised imo. The reason he moved up was because GGG had the division wrapped up but it seemed daft to me. He lacked size, power (was never a big hitter anyway) and punch output to trouble the bigger lads. He didn't do enough against Abraham's I agree but that was a declining Murray for me. The fight against Groves used up what was left in the tank, the shots he took in that fight should have sparked him out. What a chin. That turned into a top fight. In his heyday, up to that GGG fight, he was world class.
no when he signed with hearn he fought trash and waited for a title fight and thinks his world class just like a paul smith he was fringe world level at best
I'm not sure where you're going with this. I think everybody agrees he's not world class anymore. Unfortunately, Martin isn't unique in being the last one to realise that he's not at that level he once was. Most fighters only realise when it's too late that they don't quite have that timing and speed anymore, that they don't quite have the heart to go through another war. It's also worth adding that a fighters psyche can not let self doubt creap in. They sound utterly deluded to us who watch on from the comfort of our armchairs but they have to convince themselves they can be world beaters...that includes Paul Smith. What do you want them to say... "Well....I'll try me best, no way am I as good as him but I might land a lucky punch"? Murray's got the very best out of the tools he's been given, he's never dodged an opponent ever. He's never given in, despite being totally outclassed against GGG and Groves in the end....nothing like Paul Smith.
Top bloke and a very hard and proud man prime..He defo was world class for a short while but we've seen the best of him I think at this stage now. I hope he's made a few quid and can retire soon ! Straight talkin northerner, I liked him
Frankly speaking, Smith has done this for most of his career: http://boxrec.com/en/boxer/182945 He's come up short any time he has stepped up to world level or fringe world level. Bearing this in mind and casting an eye upon the surfeit of opponents with losing pro records or woeful pro records on Smith's ledger, do you realise that his whole "I'm world class, me" rhetoric all rings rather hollow.
Murray is, however, still a level above Smith, and I'm confident he would win a comfortable decision over Smith after 12 rounds of pawing, hugging and slow-dancing if the two of them were to ever fight.
Smith isn't, never has been and certainly never be world level. Murray whilst no longer top 10 calibre can at least say he's been at that level. Smith's best win is probably Tony Dodson, he doesn't deserve a European title fight let alone a world title fight.
