John Murray vs Alex Arthur - Potential Classic?
A Possible Domestic Thriller in the UK
While this is a completely hypothetical match-up, this bout would make perfect sense. Styles make fights, and the bullish style of Murray would gel perfectly with the slicker, speed orientated style of Arthur.
In addition, both their careers haven't gone down the perfect route as of late, and this could vault one of them into top level bouts on the world scene.
A Stop-Start Career for John Murray
While he is still undefeated, the career of John Murray has had it's ups and downs to say the least. He turned pro in 2003, with a win against the respectable veteran Peter Buckley. After this, he notched up 22 good wins, one even in the US, and things were looking up for the prospect.
However, along came journeyman Youssef Al-Hamidi. The unheralded (although deceptively good) Hamidi gave Murray a real run for his money and some argue that Murray was beaten. However, he scraped through with a decision, and things began moving for him again.
In his next fight, he destroyed Lee Meager in five rounds to win the vacant British lightweight title, and sent out a message to everyone in the lightweight ranks with a blistering performance.
After this, he took out flashy Scot Lee McAllister in eight rounds to retain his belt. The body shot he floored Lee with in the eighth would have put any lightweight in the world down, and this was yet another statement of intent from the Mancunian.
However, during this time, inactivity was a big problem. Murray readily admits that if there is no fight looming he would rather be in a nightclub than a boxing gym, and this manifested itself in a calamity at the weigh in of his next fight.
Due to defend his British crown against Scott Lawton, Murray turned up at the weigh in with only five minutes remaining. He was ever so slightly over (literally the weight of a 10p coin), and in the end was stripped of his belt because he failed to make the weight. This brought about a new low in his career.
He still put in a good performance though, demolishing the Stoke man in six rounds even without the chance of retaining his belt.
To make things worse for him though, he was fined £1,500 for his inability to make the weight, and now, since Jon Thaxton lost on July 18th, a match against him for the British belt is unlikely, which just makes the Arthur bout make even more sense.
Alex Arthur: A Man With A Lot To Prove
Alex Arthur was once regarded as one of the premier prospects in boxing. That was until 2003, when Michael Gomez dealt with him in punishing fashion, leaving his career in tatters.
Arthur rebuilt well though, going on a streak of ten impressive wins, until he moved up onto the world level to fight Nicky Cook for the WBO Super Featherweight Title. He lost this close fought contest, and considering not long before this Cook had been defeated, it appeared Arthur would never make it at world level.
He suggested that this was becuase he was having trouble making the super featherweight limit though, and he is admant that he will win a world title now he has moved up to lightweight. However, there is no one else as bullish in claiming they can win a world title as John Murray, and this would reveal who truly does have world title potential at this weight.
Arthur v Murray Would Be a Pick-'em Fight
There would be a case to say either fighter would win. Murray would as always put relentless pressure on, keep his chin down and go hell for leather.
In contrast, Arthur would take his time, box from the outside and try to use his speed. If he tried to have a 'tear up' with Murray, he would be very quickly reminded of his fight against Gomez and get flattened, and no one would know this better than Arthur.
This truly has 'classic' written all over it. While there is the problem that Murray is promoted by Mick Hennessy and Arthur is promoted by Frank Warren, the two can do deals for the big fights, and this is epic.
Do you want to see this fight? Flood Frank Warren and Mick Hennessy with emails, and maybe they will see that this is a fight that fans want; and this truly would be a fight for every boxing fan in Britain to relish.
What do you think about this article?
Latest Articles