Martin Murray and Paul Smith Show Heart in Failed Title Challenges

Brave. That is the best word to describe the efforts of Martin Murray and Paul Smith in their failed attempts to win world titles on Feb. 21.

Smith was unable to get the better of WBO super-middleweight champion Arthur Abraham at the O2 World arena in Berlin. For the second straight fight against Abraham he lost on points, though this time there was no argument about the scorecards.

Not too long after the verdict had been announced in Germany, Murray stepped between the ropes in Monaco to attempt to become the first person to beat Gennady Golovkin.

The middleweight from St Helens did make history of sorts, forcing GGG to go into an 11^th round for the first time in his career.

However, Golovkin made sure the judges would not be needed in Monte Carlo.

A beaten and bloodied Murray was eventually spared from further punishment by the referee just under a minute into the 11th.

He had fought gallantly, impressively too, but simply did not have the tools necessary to dethrone one of the very best boxers on the planet.

Both beaten Brits deserve praise for the way they fought. However, they would prefer to have had the belts to comfort them in the immediate aftermath, rather than kind words.

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Smith had gone in to his rematch with Abraham still smarting from the outcome in the first, which took place in Kiel last September.

While judging is a matter of opinion, few at ringside could fathom out how one official had seen fit to give the challenger just a solitary round on his card.

Abraham did enough the second time around to make sure there could be no debate about the scores.

There seemed to be moments in the fight where Smith was hurt, yet he battled on bravely—allied to Abraham’s disinterest in moving through the gears in an attempt to force a stoppage—to hear the final bell.

Smith—who has already worked in the media—must now decide what to do next.

Another bid for world glory does not appear to be looming on the horizon, so the reigning British champion may have to focus on domestic matters next.

Rocky Fielding, who is scheduled to fight on the upcoming Matchroom card in Hull, is a potential opponent. Fielding himself expressed an interest in making it happen:

Fielding was actually at ringside to see his good friend Murray fall short in his third crack at becoming a world champion.

What must have been disheartening for Murray after the most recent failed attempt is that he could not have performed much better.

He managed to land some excellent shots on the counter, including a lovely combination that HBO Boxing tweeted out:

However, the thing that catches your eye the most from watching that footage is Golovkin’s response. The Kazakh boxer simply shrugs his shoulders and goes straight back on the attack.

It was a common theme throughout, with Murray simply unable to find a way to stop, or at least slow down, the champion’s assaults.

He would be able to get punches through, but too often his successful shots came when he was stuck with his back on the ropes. They lacked the necessary power to halt Golovkin's forward march.

Eventually, the incessant pressure became too much. He couldn’t get the win he wanted, but Murray did earn the respect of his opponent:

You cannot ever accuse Murray of looking for the easy option.

A controversial draw against Felix Sturm denied him the WBA strap in 2011, then in 2013 he was out-pointed by Sergio Martinez in the Argentine’s backyard. 

He has signed a new three-fight deal with Golden Gloves, per World Boxing News, with promoter Rodney Berman saying: “Martin will take a well-earned rest and thereafter, on the back of his showing on Saturday, we are pursuing the world middleweight title again.” 

Murray has shown enough in his three title attempts to warrant another crack.

Perhaps the most suitable route for him would be to face the winner of the clash between current WBO champion Andy Lee and Peter Quillin, which takes place on April 11 in Brooklyn.

Whatever the future holds, Murray and Smith deserve great praise for the courage and class they displayed in defeat.