Ryōta Murata vs. Steven Butler & Kenshiro Teraji vs. Randy Formentera Petalcorin RBR

Murata is the first Japanese MW to successfully defend his title, IIRC.

 

The guy is as strong as an ox, hits hard and can throw punches rapidly and has a huge work rate.

How is he not athletic?

Just because he doesn't dance around the ring???

 

I always considered Roy Jones a top tier hitter tbh.

When I think of the best middleweight with the least athletic ability id probably say Derevyanchenko.

Not much pop, not very quick speed of hand/feet, average stamina, the guy might have above average agility for the division tbf but he is also probably one of the smallest so you would expect that.

He is technically brilliant and uses his stature to his advantage ducking and weaving shots.

Derevyanchenko would be a real problem at 147, not so much at 154/160 too small.

 

Murata beating the hell out of Eubank for several rounds?

https://giphy.com/gifs/jack-nicholson-nodding-anger-management-S3Ot3hZ5bcy8o

 

Athleticism is speed, quickness, coordination, explosiveness and agility.
Murata doesn't really have any of those, but he has other attributes like power, stamina, chin, heart, good fundamentals, great instincts, nice body attack and puts a hell of a lot of pressure on his opponents but for someone who competes at this level it is unusual to be so lacking athletically.

He is kinda like a Japanese Marciano but better fundamentals cus of his amateur background (Olympic gold medalist).

 

Pretty epic entertaining top 4 fights on this card, have to say!

 

Hate to say I told you so but.... Valiant effort with him giving everything he had left but ultimately it ended up with him getting pummelled in the end. Hopefully this is it for Yaegashi.

 

Give him jeff horn for dessert.