BILLY JOE SAUNDERS VS. MARTIN MURRAY - 4/11/20 - Sky Sports/DAZN

The WBO super-middleweight title is on the line as Matchroom Boxing's residency at the SSE Arena, Wembley continues.

British boxers Billy Joe Saunders and Martin Murray return to the ring after over a year out apiece as world championship boxing headlines one of Matchroom Boxing's final cards of 2020.

Saunders will make his second defence of his WBO super-middleweight title after outpointing Shefat Isufi in May 2019. He successfully defended the belt six months later with an 11th-round knockout of Marcelo Esteban Coceres. Saunders was hoping to fight Canelo Alvarez in May, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic he hasn't been in action since November 2019.

Murray, meanwhile, has tried and failed to become a world champion on four separate occasions at super-middle as well as middleweight. At the age of 38, this could be his final chance to add the sought-after accolade to his resume.

This is a bout that has been attempted in the past, but will now finally take place as part of Matchroom's residency at the SSE Arena, Wembley.

"I am very happy to be defending my WBO title again," Saunders told Sky Sports. "I haven't boxed for a year and I really do miss being in the ring. I can't wait to have my 30th professional fight and finish the year with a bang before a big 2021.

"The coronavirus pandemic has affected everybody in many ways, and it has had a big impact on the sport of boxing. The Canelo fight falling through was very frustrating for me but now the journey continues in December.

"Martin and I were supposed to fight twice before but it didn't happen either time. He said some stuff and so did I, so let's see who can back it up. I'm enjoying training with Mark Tibbs. He's incredibly knowledgeable in the sport of boxing and we are working on new stuff that we will show on the night."

CARD


Billy Joe Saunders vs. Martin Murray, 12 rounds for Saunders' WBO super middleweight title

James Tennyson vs. Josh O'Reilly, 12 rounds at lightweight

Zach Parker vs. Cesar Nunez, 10 rounds at super middleweight

Saunders is making the calibre of Calzaghe's defences look good.WBO is a crap belt lets face it.

Saunders is a very avoided fighter, he doesn't bring much to the gate or sell many tickets, plus he is very hard to look good against.

He also appears to be a complete dickhead.

I’ve lived in St Helens and met Martin a couple of times long ago, but I beg he wins this.

Sometimes people have the ability, Martin just falls short of world class, but his training and his heart.. he deserves a world title. He should have had it before and I’d rather he didn’t do it against Saunders but I really hope he does!

Not a fan of Friday night boxing, I like to just sit down and mong out with beer, music and curry

Anna is looking lovely as usual though...rather shiny on the bottom half tonight

Does main fight start at 9pm?

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Originally Posted by imp

Does main fight start at 9pm?

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I would have thought it would be 10-10:30pm

Cheers

So the fight is tonight, and there is not even one full page on this thread.

That sums up Saunders' appeal really

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Originally Posted by X

So the fight is tonight, and there is not even one full page on this thread.

That sums up Saunders' appeal really

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Thing with BJS is that he fights to the level of his opponent, I'm expecting this to be a stinker, unless matchroom have put a rocket up his arse.

Old fat Shazza is fighting tonight, she's the only one of the birds that I don't mind.

I say I don't mind Shannon Courtney but I can't watch her and give a shit, 2 rounds and I've put my music back on.

Tandoori Duck starter was fucking amazing though, really nice, I would highly recommend it from the Balti Queen in Erdington, Birmingham

Josh O' Reilly gets stopped by the vicious and hard punching James Tennyson in the 1st round.

come on @Master you old cunt, lets get this motherfucker to two pages

@Master are you gunna stay up for the Spence v Garcia fight tomorrow? the undercard looks shite but with Yarde fighting on BT I'm tempted to pull an all nighter, what do you reckon, do you fancy a date night?

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Originally Posted by Batman

come on @Master you old cunt, lets get this motherfucker to two pages

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Not if there is another early knockout. Let's hope Murray can do it.

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Originally Posted by Batman

@Master are you gunna stay up for the Spence v Garcia fight tomorrow? the undercard looks shite but with Yarde fighting on BT I'm tempted to pull an all nighter, what do you reckon, do you fancy a date night?

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It has been ages since I stayed up for a fight. Getting too old for it now but will definitely stay up for Smith v Canelo in a couple of weeks.

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Originally Posted by Master

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Originally Posted by Batman

come on @Master you old cunt, lets get this motherfucker to two pages

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Not if there is another early knockout. Let's hope Murray can do it.

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we did it;D

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Originally Posted by Master

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Originally Posted by Batman

@Master are you gunna stay up for the Spence v Garcia fight tomorrow? the undercard looks shite but with Yarde fighting on BT I'm tempted to pull an all nighter, what do you reckon, do you fancy a date night?

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It has been ages since I stayed up for a fight. Getting too old for it now but will definitely stay up for Smith v Canelo in a couple of weeks.

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I don't do it often either these days, I don't know why, I used to stay up for every fight that was on but the excitement seems to have gone over the past few years unless its a mega fight which are few and far between these days.

I do miss our date nights though, maybe once the lockdowns are lifted we can meet up for a romantic pizza and stella combo then I'll hang out the back of you all night?

BJS too quick for Murray in the 1st round letting his hands go when he wants.

1 nil BJS

BJS just dominating 2nd round with Murray not throwing enough and getting outboxed.

2 nil Saunders

Saunders enjoying himself now in the 3rd, landing combinations and uppercuts with ease.

3 nil

Billy Joe busting up Murray in the 4th knocking him down but ref not counting it. Think his corner may throw in the towel soon.

4 nil

BJS is trying to stop Murray in the 5th with some hard punches but Murray still in there.

5 nil

Murray trying to target the body of BJS throughout the fight but too slow to land that finishing shot in the 6th.

6 nil

BJS carrying his hands low but controlling the fight and wins 7th round.

7 nil

Murray going for it in the 8th with hard body punches but BJS holds him when close and uses his head.

7-1 give Murray a sympathy round.

I cant work out if BJS is just outclassing Murray or if Murray is getting a bit old.

BJS put a lot of effort in the 9th but Murray taking the beating.

8-1

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Originally Posted by KickMuck

I cant work out if BJS is just outclassing Murray or if Murray is getting a bit old.

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Murray is too slow.

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Originally Posted by Master

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Originally Posted by KickMuck

I cant work out if BJS is just outclassing Murray or if Murray is getting a bit old.

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Murray is too slow.

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Aye! I think the Martian Murray that fought Sergio Martinez would have been a very different fight.

Murray is too slow and throws single shots for BJS and loses 10th round.

9-1

Saunders pretty sharp here. But he's still Saunders so there's that.

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Originally Posted by KickMuck

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Originally Posted by Master

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Originally Posted by KickMuck

I cant work out if BJS is just outclassing Murray or if Murray is getting a bit old.

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Murray is too slow.

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Aye! I think the Martian Murray that fought Sergio Martinez would have been a very different fight.

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On another night, in a different country with other judges he would have been a champion.

BJS wants the stoppage and trying hard in the 11th but he does not hit hard enough at the top level.

10-1

BJS dominates the fight and last round. Murray should have gone for it since this will probably be his last fight.

11-1BJS

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Originally Posted by Master

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Originally Posted by KickMuck

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Originally Posted by Master

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Originally Posted by KickMuck

I cant work out if BJS is just outclassing Murray or if Murray is getting a bit old.

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Murray is too slow.

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Aye! I think the Martian Murray that fought Sergio Martinez would have been a very different fight.

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On another night, in a different country with other judges he would have been a champion.

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He won that fight on my score cards in Argentina.

Anyhow at least he goes out on his feet. Respect To Murray.

Wins every single round moans about a missed kd. Saunders and Jacobs should go. Tough interview with Murray can read it on his face. Hard man.

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Originally Posted by Spicoli

Wins every single round moans about a missed kd. Saunders and Jacobs should go. Tough interview with Murray can read it on his face. Hard man.

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Wouldn't it of been great if BJS just walked up to Murray during that interview and placed the WBO belt over Murrays shoulder!

Fuck me, George Groves ain’t making SMW Anytime soon!

What a terrible corner Murray had.

Saunders looked very good, sharp and fast with some pop on his punches and he was bullying Murray totally in there.

Having said that, Murray had nothing apart from defiance. He couldn't get off, couldn't pressure and had absolutely not a single chance of winning that fight after the second round.

His corner should have pulled him out after about round seven. I know why they didn't ... because it was Martin's last fight and he didn't want to be stopped, and they listened to him. That's how people get seriously hurt and take long term damage. Terrible terrible dangerous work by that corner.