Ringside Boxing Report: John Murray vs. Lee Meager
© Jane Warburton / Saddo Boxing
What a fantastic night of boxing last night at the Robin Park Arena in Wigan, England!
Hennessy Sports promoted the fight night, billed as Strictly Business, in which Mancunians and mates – John Murray and Lee Meager – slugged it out for the British Lightweight title in a thrilling action-packed contest.
But that wasn’t the only action of the night; the undercard saw some exciting match-ups which made this a real cracker of a fight night for the crowd!
The atmosphere inside the Robin Park was electric as John Murray entered the ring alongside trainer Joe Gallagher to the sounds of Johnny B. Good. “Macho Man” Meager entered the ring alongside his trainer Robert McCracken to the sounds of No Where To Run To’.
Murray has been sparring with Ricky Hatton and last night Hatton’s nutritionist – Kerry Kayes – was in the corner of Murray along with expert cut-man Mick Williamson.
The opening round sees both fighters settling in, but in the last half minute of the frame, Murray lands a couple of right punches which Meager clearly felt.
Murray comes out of his corner for the second round and gets straight to work on Meager, throwing a number of lefts and rights – Meager can only try to cover up and see through the onslaught. Mid-way through the round, Meager’s gumshield flies out and referee Howard Foster calls time to retrieve it. In the last minute, Murray lands a barrage of shots and Meager’s head is rocked backwards. A great round for Murray.
The top of Meager’s right cheek, just below the eye, is bruised and swollen as he comes out for the third round.
In the first minute of round three, Meager is again having to cover up as much as possible to get away from Murray’s relentless punches. Meager’s head is being rocked from side to side and he sustains a cut to the left eyebrow. Meager does well to keep upright after a big left hook from Murray, but still he comes forward – such is the heart of Lee Meager!
Going for a couple of wide swinging shots to the head, followed by two body-shots, Meager digs in despite the second cut, which is flowing blood from his right brow, but standing toe-to-toe slugging it out, Murray looks focussed and determined.
At the end of round four, Meager’s gumshield comes out again and as he retrieves it, referee Foster asks him if he is ok. But Meager gets back to the fight, throwing a straight right before the bell signals the end of another exciting – but bloody – round!
An uppercut from Murray in the opening seconds of round five snaps back the head of Meager. Murray keeps up the pace and in the last minute, lands another uppercut which causes gasps from the crowd and ringside reporters as Meager’s head snaps back yet again.
Meager keeps upright but further shots culminating in a big left hook from Murray sees referee Foster – thankfully – step in to save Meager from more punishment.
Trainer Joe Gallagher races across the canvas to hug Murray as the 24 year old becomes the new British Lightweight Champion in two minutes and twenty seconds of the fifth round by stoppage .
Afterward, Murray gave credit to a tough Lee Meager. He said that over the last two years, he hasn’t had the same love for the boxing but that this win has rekindled the flame and he wants to go on to bigger and better things.
John Murray improves to 25-0 (13), while former champion Lee Meager falls to 21-3-2 (8).