Rau’shee Warren, George Groves & Martin Murray Discussed – Boxing News

By Donald “Braveheart” Stewart

It was a bit of a graveyard shift this weekend past in terms of UK based boxing action. There were, of course plenty of shows up and down the country but not really much by way of significant belts or massively eye catching contests. It left me with one eye across to the USA and it was there that a majority decision for my pick for the fight, Rau’shee Warren 15-1, 4 KO’s, got his revenge over the champion Juan Carlos Payano 17- 1, 8 KO’s. Warren now boasts the WBA bantamweight titles. In the first fight Warren had finished the stronger and there were plenty who believed that had the fight lasted just a little longer that Warren would have taken it. It was not to be and rematch was his pathway to redemption – and revenge.

This time round Warren was on the front foot early. It was a night for his jab and working effectively behind it as he was able to record two 115-113 verdicts with the 3rd judge giving it 114 -114. As the score cards suggest it was not all one way traffic as Payano did come out swinging in the middle rounds but the explosive nature of Warren’s 11th round tactics got him the decision as it was built on the back of the earlier hard work and effort.

The former Olympian from Cincinnati was gracious enough to suggest he would be up for a rematch… This time though Warren wants it at home in Cincinnati. If that can’t be achieved, then Warren is targeting the holders of the rest of the belts – bantamweights beware.

And so to this weekend and the excitement that is at the 02 in London. Now there is this massive fight where one of our world champions shall be going in for his first defense of his belt but that is not what gets me excited. It is on top of one of the most exciting British bills that has both a Eubank and a Benn on it but that is not what is getting the boxing world chattering.

It is the make or break fight between two brilliant domestic boxers who between them have fought seven times for world titles and not won once! On the line is the WBA international belt which is held by George Groves, 23-3,18 KO’s, and he is up against the durable and very experienced Martin Murray 32-3-1, 15 KO’s.

It is a WBA eliminator and no matter what happens, this is one of the hardest to call contests for quite some time. Murray and Groves have provided some of the best entertainment over the last few years inside the ring as they have chased their dreams. Putting the two of them together in one ring is either evil genius or marvelous folly. What it is NOT is boring.

Murray is at the last saloon for his career though to suggest he is washed up is just daft. There is plenty in the Murray tank but this comes with a massive health warning – a loss to Groves can stop your career. Having travelled the world in pursuit of a world title it is this fight in London that may well define his career.

Murray ducks nothing and this is a massive domestic dust ups in the UK. Why? Because it is a genuine 50/50 fight. There is no doubt that Murray has a chance and with the level of experience with which he is going into the ring you have to also issue the same health warning to his opponent.

Losing to Martin Murray, George, could stop your career. Groves has been nothing short of unbelievably honest about it as he contemplates the possibility that, at 28 years of age, this could be it; this could be the best it is ever going to be. Groves come in with a sense of grievance as he believes that he should have won a title last time he fought for it and blames his trainer for the wrong messages whilst Murray has at least once drawn in a world title fight which was theft dressed up as sport.

There is no trash talking between them either. Both have been highly respectful of each other and the likelihood of this being a contentious decision is high. Groves has suffered in the past at the hands of referees – in his eyes at least – and will want to leave nothing to chance. Murray shall be exactly the same.

The fight between them will draw crowds out to watch it but I shall be way up north during it, unable to watch live. My twitter feed shall be hooked up though as I do not want to miss a minute of it.

Who is going to win? For me I reckon the way to keep both of them boxing is a Murray win. If he loses I don’t think Groves will quit. If Murray loses I reckon he shall. My heart therefore goes with Murray. Then my head gets talking and Groves has been at world level for almost as long as Murray and has, in my opinion the ability to take this and meet his destiny next time out. It won’t, however be easy and it shall be close so a points with for Groves for me… I think… unless Murray wins… Oh stop me…

[si-contact-form form=’2′]