Why George Groves vs. Martin Murray Will Be the Pick of the Fights on June 25
George Groves and Martin Murray have a lot in common.
The two Englishmen have combined to lose seven (yes, seven) world title fights. They could one day share a coffee—or something a little stronger, perhaps—to discuss their previous missed opportunities.
For now, though, they're preparing to share a ring on June 25.
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Anthony Joshua tops the bill that night at the O2 Arena in London. The heavyweight makes the first defence of his IBF belt against Dominic Breazeale as two unbeaten big men go head-to-head.
Yet the main event in the English capital has a one-sided whiff about it.
Joshua has knocked out all 16 opponents he has faced so far in the paid ranks—there's little about Breazeale to suggest he can buck that trend.
Both Groves and Murray would love the chance to reign as a champion at super middleweight.
They are the nearly men of British boxing. Forever the bridesmaid, never the bride. They've had enough of getting pats on the back and instead want to get a belt around their waist.
That is why their meeting has the potential to be the pick of the bouts on the bumper Matchroom card.
Unlike the headline act, Groves-Murray reeks of desperation, possibly with a slight hint of late hope. That combination adds drama to a domestic clash with ramifications on a world scale.
It is perhaps too simplistic to say that a defeat for either man means the end of their professional careers.
Groves (23-3, 18 KOs) is 28 and has only lost to world champions. He holds a win over James DeGale—the current holder of the IBF belt at 168 pounds—and has previously been British, Commonwealth and European champion.
But it's not about age, or ability, with Saint George.
There are two lingering questions with Groves—his chin in the ring and his state of mind out of it.
He admitted in an interview with Sky Sports that he had considered retiring while training to fight Badou Jack in 2015.
A fourth loss as a pro might just be the tipping point for Groves, who would hardly want to be remembered by most as the man Carl Froch knocked out in front of 80,000 people at Wembley Stadium.
He, of course, lost twice to Froch. The first occasion saw a dubious stoppage by referee Howard John Foster. Groves' complaints led to a rematch—and there was absolutely no doubt about the finish second time around.
However, the defeat that should sting the most for Groves is the one against WBC champion Jack.
Groves overcame a shock knockdown in Round 1 to take control of the bout in Las Vegas. But, just as it seemed it would be third time lucky for the Londoner, he ran out of steam.
Fading badly down the stretch, he ended up on the wrong end of a split decision.
Murray knows just how it feels to be denied by judges.
He had a dubious draw in 2011 with Felix Sturm at middleweight, then a disappointing split-decision defeat against Arthur Abraham up at super middleweight four years later. Both results came when Murray had gone to Germany to take on titleholders.
He put up an excellent display in losing to middleweight champion Sergio Martinez in Argentina in 2013, too.
The one loss he can have absolutely no complaints about came against Gennady Golovkin. At least there was one positive to take out of it—no one else had ever pushed GGG as far as Round 11.
As well as having major ramifications for their careers, the Groves-Murray showdown is also an interesting mix of styles.
Groves should be viewed as the better boxer. He can, when on song, look technically impressive.
He beat archrival DeGale in a tactical battle in 2011. Against Froch the first time around, he produced a wonderful right hand to knock down his compatriot.
He has demonstrated himself to be a smart and smooth boxer. He has a probing jab, with that punch setting up the opportunity to land heavy right hands.
He lost some of his sparkle for a while, but has looked like his old self since joining forces with trainer Shane McGuigan.
Judging from his pre-fight words, the 28-year-old is full of confidence again.
Groves told Sky Sports (h/t Nick Lustig of SkySports.com): "I'm the A-side of this fight but I also believe that he wanted this fight, and I wanted this fight. Martin called it a 50-50 fight then backtracked and said it wasn't. I can understand why people might think that but I believe that I'm the heavy favourite in this one and you'll see why on fight night."
Groves has a tendency to cross the line between self-belief and smugness, although it doesn't matter whether people are wanting him to win or lose, so long as they're watching in the first place.
Murray (33-3-1, 16 KOs), in contrast, is a straight-talking, rugby-league-loving family man. His life may have been completely different had it not been for boxing.
He had four stints in prison before turning pro. "It was jail, dying or boxing and I chose boxing," he once said, per Kevin Mitchell of the Guardian.
Now the only place he does time is the gym.
A dedicated trainer under the guidance of Oliver Harrison, the 33-year-old has the physical and mental capabilities to cope with whatever Groves throws at him.
Unlike his next opponent, he doesn't have any question marks over his stamina, nor his chin.
Groves, despite all his ability, is prone to going down. He may be in control for round after round, but there is always that possibility of him getting caught with one shot that completely changes the complexion of the bout.
That is why Murray will always feel there's a chance. He might have to wear a few in the process, but as he showed against Golovkin, he does not lack fighting spirit.
Murray, not generally regarded as a big hitter, believes his domestic rival has never quite been the same since those two epic clashes with Froch, as he told Nick Parkinson of ESPN.com:
"He's not looked the same fighter since and got put down and lost again against Jack. There has always been issues with his stamina and he's been hurt a few times now.
The Froch fights took a massive amount of confidence out of him. When he fought the Italian [Andrea Di Luisa in January], he didn't look right, he looked shot. He didn't have any confidence. He didn't get much back in that fight or against David Brophy [in April], but he didn't show much ambition.
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There was a level of healthy respect between the fighters at the beginning of the buildup.
But, as their date of destiny draws closer, you sense the tension is turning the air sour.
They are different characters, different fighters, with the same goal.
Groves once came out to the ring in a cut-out London bus. Murray seems the type of man who'd be happy taking public transport to get to the venue.
It is a contrasting mix that should make for a fascinating spectacle. The chief support act at the O2 has every chance of stealing the show.
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