ANY young fighter seeking inspiration need look no further than Martin Murray.
His tenacity and persistence is an object lesson to those feeling sorry for themselves.
Martin Murray is an inspiration to any young fighter, writes SunSport columnist Colin HartCredit: Getty Images – Getty
American writer Dale Carnegie once said: “Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed no hope at all.”
Murray, the former British and Commonwealth middleweight champion, has lived up to every word of those sentiments despite constant disappointments.
In an 11-year career — after his crime-ridden teenage years on Merseyside — Murray has failed no less than four times to become champion of the world, which is enough to have broken the spirit of most men.
But undaunted at 38, he is going to try for an unprecedented FIFTH time when he challenges Billy Joe Saunders for his WBO super-middleweight title at Wembley Arena on December 4.
Murray, who has never done anything the easy way, set out on his world championship adventure nine years ago when he went to Mannheim to meet local idol Felix Sturm, who held the WBA super-middleweight crown.
He ended up getting a draw. Fight folk know if a visitor gets a draw in Germany, it means they won the fight.
I watched it on TV and there’s no doubt Murray was on the receiving end of a good old- fashioned home-town decision.
Undaunted, a couple of years later — knowing he was likely to face extreme crowd hostility and no favours — Murray flew to Buenos Aires to clash with national hero Sergio Martinez for his WBC middleweight belt.
Martinez was so popular he even beat Lionel Messi to win Argentina’s 2012 Sportsman of the Year award.
Not surprisingly Murray, who floored Martinez, was again the victim of a blatant robbery, losing a unanimous points decision in front of 50,000 fanatical fans.
For his third attempt he went to Monte Carlo to take on Gennady Golovkin, who was at his ferocious best.
Murray gave Golovkin plenty of trouble before being stopped in the 11th round.
Attempt No 4 was back in Germany when he moved up to super-middleweight only to lose a split decision to WBO champ Arthur Abraham in Hanover. It was close but this time there were no arguments.
Murray had to overcome a frightening background full of drugs, booze and street violence in and around Liverpool.
He was just ten when he was first arrested, had seven convictions before he was 20 and served four jail sentences prior to turning pro at 25.
Today, he is a dedicated family man who is a role model and mentor to the deprived youngsters where he grew up.
The Merseysider pushed Gennady Golovkin hard but eventually lost in the 11th round in 2015Credit: Action Images – Reuters
Billy Joe Saunders twice pulled out with battles against Martin due to injury but is now the 1-20 favouriteCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
He said: “It was jail, dying or boxing — and I chose boxing.”
Murray was supposed to have fought Saunders on two occasions a couple of years ago — but Billy Joe called it off both times because of injury.
An angry Murray called him a hypocrite and an imposter.
After getting this shot at Saunders, he said: “There was no bad blood between me and Billy Joe — just a lot of frustration after he pulled out twice.”
It would be every bit as romantic as Rocky if Murray manages to beat Saunders next month.
But the stark reality is unbeaten Billy Joe is one of the cleverest boxers on the planet and a massive 1-20 favourite.
Oh well, Martin, there could be a sixth time.
Billy Joe Saunders blasted by Martin Murray after pulling out of world title fight
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
