By Scott Gilfoid: Former EBU lightweight champion John Murray (31-1, 18 KO’s) has partially revealed one of his strategies that he plans on using to try and rip the title away from WBA World lightweight champion Brandon Rios (28-0-1, 21 KO’s) this Saturday night on the Miguel Cotto vs. Antonio Margarito undercard at the Madison Square Garden in New York.

Murray, who has been mostly a plodder his entire 8-year pro career, said “I’ve been working on moving my feet and legs a lot more. I think the loss [to Kevin Mitchell] was a kick up the bum I need to reignite my motivation for the sport.”

There it is folks. Murray has given his number #1 plan up for what he hopes will bring him to victory on Saturday night. I think it’s a wise move on his part, because he’s always been too much of a stationary fighter that lacked he ability to move around tactically. Murray could have used movement in his last fight against Kevin Mitchell to be sure. Murray came at Mitchell in straight lines all night long and rarely circled the ring to keep Mitchell guessing.

I hate to break this to Murray, though, but I got to do it. He needs more than just movement to beat the likes of Rios. That’s not enough. Murray needs talent, hand speed and some defensive skills. Those are just as important as movement. I don’t think Murray can do anything about his lack of hand speed. You either have that quality or you don’t.

Murray is as slow as molasses on a cold day. The hand speed is missing for whatever reason and it’s not going to be found by the time he meets up with Rios on Saturday. Murray’s defense also needs major work. I doubt he’s made inroads in that area either. I smell a 4th round knockout for Rios. This is going to be bad unless Murray can devise a strategy that involves hiding his head for 12 rounds.