With seven world title
attempts between them, George Groves and Martin Murray have been the nearly men
of British boxing over the past few years. After both suffering split decision
losses in their last respective title shots, the two are both on the comeback
trail hoping to get another chance at winning that so far elusive world title.
West Londoner, George
Groves, has now had two fights since he teamed up with trainer Shane McGuigan
back in November. In those fights he dismantled Italian, Andrea Di Luisa and
unbeaten Scot, David Brophy. It was clear the gap in class in both those fights
and now it is time for Groves to make the step-back-up to elite level again.
Martin Murray has had
one of the most unfortunate careers in boxing. He was robbed in his first two
world title shots against Felix Sturm and Sergio Martinez and then came up
against Gennady Golovkin and even managed to last 11 rounds. However his most
recent performance against Abraham was poor especially when one considers what
happened to the German out in the US against Gilberto Ramirez.
This is a perfect
crossroads fight for two fighters who both genuinely believe they can win the
fight. The stakes are high however as defeat would almost certainly eliminate either
fighter’s chances of another shot at the world title.
There are certainly big
question marks over both fighters. Murray does not look the same fighter at
super-middleweight as he did at middleweight and lacks any kind of power to
worry his opponents. There have always been question marks over Groves’ gas
tank and he has not looked his same confident self ever since he split with
trainer Adam Booth.
Having said that, this
will be an easy night’s work for Groves who, after, will be looking to
manoeuvre himself into another position to fight for a world title. His jab has
always been of the highest order and with it he will be able to control the
range of the fight with ease. To say Murray is shot would be a step too far
however his best days are well behind him and even in the weak 168 lb division
it is unlikely he will succeed in his quest for that elusive world title.
Tom Eckett
@boxingguru44
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