Murray defeats Garcia, fifth title shot possible?

Perpetual bridesmaid Martin Murray might have earned himself another shot at a world title Saturday by winning a foul filled 12-round unanimous decision over Roberto Garcia at the O2 Arena in London, England.

All the three ringside judges had Murray winning the fight easily by scores of 116-111, 118-109 and 118-108.

Murray, 35, was scheduled to fight WBO champion Billy Joe Saunders on Saturday—until Saunders withdrew for the second time due to injury. Murry didn’t believe that Saunders was hurt. No matter, Murray had to get past Garcia to have any hope of landing a fifth crack at a title.

He started well in the opening round, catching the aggressive Garcia with shots to the and body. Rounds two and three were more of the same. Martin stuck out his jab and three a few sweeping right hands.

Garcia smiled and covered up. It seemed unlikely he could win the fight by decision. Murray scored points with a triple left. Only one punch landed, but he was outworking Garcia who lost a point for landing a shot to the hip.

Later in the round, Garcia connected with a wicked shot to the body and hard punch to the temple.

Murry (36-4, 17 KOs) came out punching in round four. Garcia was forcing the fight. His hands were heavier, but Murray was banking on volume to win rounds. Garcia (41-4, 24 KOs) jabbed his way inside, but a few shots looked low. He landed a left hook that had no effect. Murray, who’s lost four fights in his career to world champions, landed an uppercut and combination. Garcia shook his head, but Murray was scoring points. A right hand clipped Murray.

In rounds six and seven, Murray landed a number of fast combinations. None of the punches hurt Garcia. What was hurting him was his lack of consistent punching. Murray ignored another low blow and snapped another hook.Garcia grinned, but was losing the fight. He needed do something dramatic. In the next stanza, he landed a couple or right hands that Murray absorbed. Murray landed a solid right, but Garcia did some good work on the inside.

Garcia tried to pick up the pace in round nine and ten. He plowed forward and pushed Murray around. Murray complained and fought back. More punches landed low. The referee deducted a point from Garcia for hitting Murray on the break. Garcia kept looking to land a big shot in the last two rounds. The effort was there, but not the power. He did land another right that seemed to surprise Murray, but it wasn’t enough.