By Scott Gilfoid: Former EBU lightweight champion John Murray (31-2, 18 KO’s) is hoping to get a rematch against Kevin Mitchell to try and avenge an 8th round TKO defeat he suffered against him two years ago in July 2011.
Murray was pretty well dominated in that fight, but he still wants a chance for revenge. Murray also was beaten in his only fight since then, losing to former WBA lightweight champion Brandon Rios by an 11th round TKO in December 2011.
Murray, 28, has been out of the ring since then after an irregularity showed up in a brain scan. However, his brain is now all clear for the problem that he had, and he wants to face the 28-year-old Mitchell again if possible. Murray has his boxing license with the BBCofC, so he’s able to fight.
Murray said to the Manchestereveningnews “I think he’s got to give me chance for revenge. I took the fight with him when I didn’t have to and gave him the opportunity. Now I’m hoping he does the sam for me and gives me opportunity for revenge.”
Mitchell’s career isn’t going great either. He was easily stopped in the 4th round by WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns last year in September, and he looked awful. Mitchell reportedly wants to face either Anthony Crolla or Gavin Rees.
I think Rees might be a possibility, but I highly doubt that Crolla will choose to fight him because he’s likely going to get a title shot against Burns next, even though Crolla isn’t even ranked in the top 15 by any of the sanctioning bodies at lightweight.
I guess if the World Boxing Organization will allow Burns to fight the 2nd tier Crolla, then that fight will likely happen if Burns can get past #8 WBO Raymundro Beltra next.
I don’t see why Mitchell doesn’t face Murray again. I mean, he’s in the same boat as him pretty much in terms of his career right now, so he might as well fight him again. If that had been Mitchell in the ring with Brandon Rios in 2011 instead of Murray, the outcome would have been exactly the same except that I think Mitchell would get knocked out a lot faster.
Comments are closed.