By Scott Gilfoid: Former four-time world title challenger Martin Murray (32-3-1, 15 KOs) is targeting a fight against #3 WBC super middleweight contender George Groves (21-3, 16 KOs). Murray has lost to the following champions in failed world title shots: Sergio Martinez, Gennady Golovkin and Arthur Abraham. He was also involved in a 12 round draw against Felix Sturm. Murray is kind of in the same boat at Matthew Macklin in getting tons of world title shots, but always coming up empty.
#10 WBC Murray, 33, and Groves have something in common in that they’ve both fought for world titles many times and come up short. #3 WBC Groves has lost three times in shots at world titles in the past, and he’s now looking for his fourth shot if he can start winning again.
Murray thinks it would be a great idea for him and Groves to face each other in order to try and advance his own career. I somehow doubt that Groves is looking for a potentially difficult fight against someone like Murray, given that he’s coming off a loss to WBC super middleweight champion Badou Jack in his last fight in September.
Murray lost his last fight to WBO 168lb champion Arthur Abraham in November of last year in a 12 round split decision loss.
“I think Groves is a good fighter. He’s a sharp-shooter with good boxing skills and good power. I think he fades [in] the second halves of fights and if he and I fought, that’s when I’d take over,” Murray said to skysports.com. “He’s not got that high a punch resistance. George is now my rival and a fight with George Groves is a fight that I want.”
Those glaring weaknesses in Groves’ game has been known for a long time. It’s academic at this point that Groves has had problems fading in fights, and taking big head shots. The problem is Groves doesn’t seem capable of changing those flaws. He’s kind of stuck with the problems that he’s had with his chin and stamina whether he likes it or not.
Groves will be fighting this Saturday night against Adrea Di Luisa (18-3, 14 KOs) in a 10 round fight at the Copper Box Arena in London, UK. This kind of the last chance saloon for Groves. A defeat here and it’s pretty much over. I don’t think there’s a trainer alive that can turn Groves’ career around and fix his problems with his chin.
“I was unlucky in my last fight and I’m ready for all-comers now,” Murray said. “I’m looking for those big domestic fights against the likes of Groves, Paul Smith and James DeGale.”
I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for Groves to show interest in fighting him if I were Murray, because I do not see that happening. While it’s true that Groves’ promoters at Sauerland Events has a great working relationship with Murray’s promoters at Matchroom Sports, I don’t see Sauerland wanting to put Groves in with Murray because there’s too much risk involved. I see them taking it easy with Groves, feeding him fodder until he picks up a No.1 ranking for another title shot.
I think Sauerland will keep Groves at the level of Di Luisa until he gets a mandatory position for the WBC title. That might take a year or two, but oh well. I don’t think they’re going to risk Groves’ hide by putting him in with difficult opponents that could possibly beat Groves on an off night.
Comments are closed.