Deon Potgieter in Copenhagen Boxing
The South African National Boxing Commission has controversially snatched a world title fight away from former World Boxing Union welterweight world champion Gary “The Heat” Murray.
The newly formed boxing bodyoriginally tried to hamstring Murray by saying a local fighter should win a national title before being eligible to contest for a world title. When the boxing community resisted this, the commission downgraded his status, arguing he had not impressed in his last few outings and should first prove himself a worthy contender.
But Murray, who was due to fight the International Boxing Council’s welterweight world champion Frank Olsen in Copenhagen on Friday, says he’ll prove them wrong.
The fight was initially okayed by the Danish Boxing Commission. “Everything was on track for the fight to take place,” said Morgens Palle, the Danish promoter. “Then we started getting stories … that the South African commission was against Murray challenging for the world title. They said he had lost three of his last four fights and he should first prove he deserves a title shot.” The Danish commission decided rather than be involved in a controversy, they would not sanction the fight.
“I’m very disappointed,” said Murray. “I don’t have any hard feelings towards either of the commissions, though. A lot of people think that I’m finished, but I’m not. My fight with Olsen would have proved that.”
Murray, who has scored 30 wins (20 by knockout) with four losses and one draw, will now be fighting Ashley Whiteboy in Cape Town on Tuesday. “You’ll be seeing a different Murray to the one most people know,” he said. “I’m back with my first trainer and have focused a lot on improving the power and accuracy of my punches.”
“The Olsen/Murray fight can still happen,” said Palle. “If Murray scores a win or two, the door reopens.”
The fight postponementcould in fact turn out to be in Murray’s favour. Replacing Murray as Olsen’s opponent is the World Boxing Council’s intercontinental champion, Carlos Baldomeer, who fought a draw last year against Dingaan Thobela in South Africa. He will be putting his title on the line as well, when challenging for Olsen’s world title. Therefore the winner will receive both titles.
“If Murray wins on Tuesday he’s done his bit in the commission’s eyes,” said Mike Segal, Murray’s promoter.