Murray edges closer to world title shot

John Murray took another giant step to an arguably overdue world title shot on Saturday night, when he stopped mandatory challenger Andriy Kudriavtsev in his European lighweight title defence. A packed house in Wigan was there to see the Manchester favourite dismantle the teak tough challenger in another impressive, gritty performance.

Murray (right, pic by Chris Royle) started the fight well. He worked off his underrated jab, putting his punches together well. A left to the body seemed to stun the Ukrainian visitor and John started putting in some hurtful right hands. The second saw more of the same, John finding combinations and reddening Andriy's face early. This did not deter the hard man from the East however, who keep throwing his punches and tried working the jab. Sadly for him, it seemed like he was a lesser version of Murray. Murray , strong, skilful and with decent power just did what Kudriavtsev did, but with more dynamism. It was obvious from here that the challenger was in for a hard night.

Murray continued with his pressure tactics in the next round. When his opponent did open up with occasional successes, then John would hurt him even more than usual with his counter punches.

The fourth and fifth rounds saw Andriy having his best rounds, with occasional shots to the body and good right hands through Murray's sometimes leaky guard. Still, it wasn't enough to give him the rounds on my cards as Murray still did more work, his hooks doing some damage during these stanza's.

The sixth saw Murray use more movement picking off his challenger as he came in. It was as though John had acknowledged that he couldn't just blast his foe out of there and had no wish for Kudriavtsev to get any more into the fight than he had done in the previous two rounds. This was one seriously hard man he was facing.

The eight saw John become more aggressive. A big right hand hurt his opponent more than anything had done for a while. Still, Andriy fought back, unloading on Murray. Sadly for him, when John went to war he would always win, he was just too strong.

Round nine saw the Ukrainian's last stand. Despite looking more tired and after receiving more punishment he bulled John to the ropes. Murray was able to turn him and hurt him with his next shots. As Kudriavtsev tried to escape around the ring, John followed him dishing out more punishment. A right hand saw the referee finally finish the beating and time was called at 2:39 of the ninth round. Andriy could have gone on for a bit longer, but what was the point? Andriy Kudriavtsev, you had been brave enough for one night.

So where now for John Murray? After the fight names such as Marquez, Katsidis and Soto were mentioned. All I know is that John needs a big fight and fast. Murray climbs to 30-0(18). Kudriavtsev falls to 34-8(15).

Joe Murray (9st 2lb 8oz) returned to the ring for the first time since March when he wiped out Hungarian import Richard Szebeledi (9st 2lb 3oz) in two rounds of a four round contest. The first round saw Murray throw a lovely array of punches, lefts, rights and uppercuts. If there was any rust then it didn't seem to show. The second ended it, a right hand left the game visitor face down on the canvas. The corner seemed very concerned but after the fight was called off, their man got to his feet, albeit unsteadily. Time was called at 2.05 of the second round. The future looks bright for our forgotten Olympian whose ledger rises to 8-0(4) Szebeledi falls to 7-13(0).

Prizefighter champion and new hot prospect Prince Aaron (11st 2lb 8oz) put in another decent performance against a fat man who was once apparently Mihaly Kotai (11st 5lb) Aaron, once used as cannon fodder for John Duddy when he was only 19 has turned his career round in recent years and was far too much for his 36 year old opponent. Working behind his jab he was able to dominate from the word go against the former IBO world champion. Kotai, once a decent operator was unmissable with the right hands.

The second stanza saw Kotai use a different technique to unnerve his opponent, a blatant head-butt at the start of the round. The ref was taking no prisoner and immediately docked him a point threatening the throw him out if that transgression occurred again. Aaron continued to work his man over during the next few rounds. Kotai never stopped trying but was very slow and Aaron was just using his foe as target practice. The fifth had Aaron coming forward more, as if he wanted to put on a really top level performance. Mihaly, as the fight continued, was being out-gunned and out-boxed. Still, it was a surprise when, in the sixth when a right uppercut and follow up barrage sent Kotai hurtling towards the canvas. Kotai got up quick and walked towards his corner but the referee thankfully called it a day at 1.18 of the sixth and final round. Aaron rises to 20 -2 (3 KO). Kotai falls to 36-5-1(1 KO) Kotai was stopped for the first time in his career incidentally, but he looks an old man.

A lively encounter between Josh Wale (8st 5lb 9oz) and was Frenchman Yoan Boyeaux (8st 7lb 7oz) was one of the highlights of the early part of the night. Wale, always exciting, started off in his usual all action fashion. Walking straight forward he threw his traditional hooks against the Frenchman who had extended Carl Frampton on his last visit to these shores. The Frenchman was always quick to counter and this was the recurring theme of the night. Wale would always do that little bit more work against his possibly more skilful opponent.

Wale swept the first four rounds and seemed to be winning the fifth up until a right hand opened up a cut over his left eye. The Frenchman sensed his chance and opened up, rocking the head of Wale back on different occasions and earning him a share of the round on my card. The sixth and final round saw Josh try to keep away from his foe in order to stop that cut getting opened up any worse. Boyeaux was just about winning the round until, right near the end, he landing a right hook that made Wale touch down with his glove. Though it seemed more of a balance issue, any questions as to what Wale had left were left unanswered as the final bell went on the completion of the count. Wale was announced the winner by a score of 58-56. The Frenchman looked disappointed but the right man won. Wale climbs to 11-3(5). Boyeaux falls to 6-2(2) but is welcome back any time.

Opening the show Albert Sosnowski made short work of Paul Butlin in a heavyweight encounter. Sosnowski, returning after a ten round defeat to King Vitali immediately looked far quicker than his opponent. Ramming in the jab and right hands Butlin looked in for a painful night. He was sparred any long term pain however, when Sosnowski unleashed a big shot that put the big man on the canvas. Butlin rose but a follow up attack, with right hands to the body sent Paul to the canvas for the final time. Time was called after 2:12 of the first round. Sosnowski rises to 46-3-1(28). Butlin falls to 12-12 (3) Sosnowski will now plough on for another title shot. Butlin will return to his level to give the youngsters a great workout.

Paul Truscott geared up for a lightweight title eliminator against Carl Johanneson with a workmanlike performance against Hungarian Zsolt Nagy. Each round followed the same formula, Truscott outfoxing his for but in no real danger of stopping him. and it was no surprise when the referee raised his hand after six rounds. Truscott rises to 15-2(1). Nagy falls to 15-18(7). As always Truscott looked good, but is he missing that 'X -Factor'?

Once fighter to watch could be new Ingle featherweight hope Kid Galahad. Looking exactly like a young Naz, Galahad was able to produce lovely display against Ian Bailey from Slough. From the word go Bailey came forward but Galahad was too slick for him showing a beautiful array of punches, Galahad was able to make his ever hard working opponent look rather silly, especially from the southpaw stance (he was, of course, another Ingle switch hitter). The fourth round saw Bailey try to make a concerted effort but a few hard counters put a stop to that. By the fifth Galahad had slowed down a bit and Bailey was having a bit more success. The sixth saw more of the same, Bailey coming on strong but Galahad probably winning the round. The referee announced a score of 60-55 in Galahad's favour, obviously giving Bailey a share of one of the rounds, a good reward for all his effort. Galahad rises to 4-0(1) Bailey falls to 5-6(0). We watch Kid Galahad's progress with interest.

Closing the bill we had Phill Fury, Tyson Fury's little cousin. He was up against Birmingham's Terry Adams in a four round light-middleweight contest. Fury began well, showing a lot more composure than when I had previously seen him. With little of any amateur record he appears to be learning on the job. The fight closed in the second round when a crashing uppercut and follow up attack sent Adams to the canvas. The fight was stopped on 1.43 of the second round. Fury rises to 7-0(2), Adams falls to 6-15 (2).

So all in all a great nights boxing but a night that belonged, in the end to John Murray. His time must be approaching, a world title shot around the corner. And if it happens, who can say he doesn't deserve it?