Photo by AP
Martin Murray (31-1-1, 12 KOs) is a fighter with no fear. He traveled to Argentina to fight Sergio Martinez in a soccer stadium in front of Martinez’s hometown crowd and performed brilliantly.
Although he lost a controversial decision, Murray had no fear as he broke Martinez down towards the end of the fight and almost pulled off the upset.
Not many are giving Murray much of a chance against Gennady Golovkin on Saturday, but Murray is not coming in to lay down for anyone.
Read on for the three keys to victory for Martin Murray.
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1. Don’t Get Psyched Out
That is easier said then done for Martin Murray. Gennady Golovkin is coming into this fight with 18 consecutive knockouts with each one being more brutal than the last.
Fighters who beat Mike Tyson such as Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis each said they knew they would win before the fight even started. Neither was intimidated by the Boogeyman.
Murray must employ the same mentality and take the fight to Golovkin before GGG gets comfortable with his game plan.
Golovkin has a tendency to get hit and if Murray can land and follow up he may have a chance to disrupt Golovkin and make a statement.
2. Be Tougher than Golovkin
Photo by Mark Robinson/Hatton Promotions
Martin Murray is already tough, but may need to roughhouse and push Golovkin around to get an edge as he did against Sergio Martinez.
Murray fought Martinez in front of 40,000 rabid fans in a rainstorm. Murray knocked Martinez down twice although the referee called the second knockdown a slip.
In addition to fighting Martinez in Argentina, Murray also went to Germany to fight hometown hero, Felix Sturm. That fight resulted in a draw and was super competitive. Clearly Murray fears no one.
Golovkin was hit flush in the face by both Gabe Rosado and Curtis Stevens, but neither man was able to follow up to hurt him.
Murray will need to land and land again and push Golovkin into the ropes before Golovkin can recover. Not much is made of Golovkin’s defense and Murray can exploit it if he is tough enough to get raked across the face first.
3. Do Not Start Slow
Photo by Will Hart/HBO
It took Martin Murray almost four rounds to get going against Sergio Martinez and this caused him to fall behind on the scorecards.
If Murray waits that long against Gennady Golovkin, the fight wont see Round 5.
Although Murray stayed covered up making it difficult for Martinez to penetrate inside, Golovkin is a busier and heavier puncher than Martinez and will find an opening to unleash some bombs either to the body or head.
Murray will need to earn Golovkin’s respect early on in the fight by landing combinations and let him feel the pop. Murray will need to ward off Golovkin’s offensive barrage which is sure to come.
If Murray hits Golovkin with his own medicine by cutting the ring off and landing inside body shots he may have a chance to push the fight into the later rounds where it can be anyone’s fight.
