Graham Earl and Steve Murray have points to prove
 By Ben Carey (July 27, 2004)
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Graham Earl and Steve Murray are two fighters with a point to prove. Just eight weeks ago, Earl controversially outpointed Bradford’s Bobby Vanzie for the second time in 12 months to regain the British lightweight title he was stripped of after twice withdrawing from scheduled rematches with Vanzie due to injury. That the British Boxing Board of Control allowed Earl to immediately contest the vacant title less than a month after stripping him was perplexing. For many observers, not in the least Vanzie, so too was referee Terry O’Connor’s 115-114 scorecard in Earl’s favour.
Though the Luton man received the rub of the green, which included O’Connor missing a 4th round knockdown, some argue he is a fortunate and undeserving champion. Unsurprisingly, Earl begs to differ, but such fierce criticism has wounded the now two-time champion’s pride. In fact, so enraged was the Southerner; he decided to state his case in a letter to trade paper Boxing News.
“My first fight against Bobby Vanzie was, yes, definitely a close call, but to say the second was close – come on!” Earl insisted. “As far as the apparent (according to SKY) fourth-round knockdown goes, that was a slip. I felt his best in the sixth and admit that, but, honestly, that was no knockdown in the fourth. On the night, I walked out of the ring as champion,” he added.
Now would be an opportune time for Earl to prove his standing beyond dispute. And, if previous form is anything to go by, the champion is well placed to do so. Standing opposite him on Friday will once again be Steve Murray. When the pair met at the Wembley Conference Centre 18 months ago, Earl recorded the most impressive win of his career, blitzing the Harlow puncher in two rounds to earn himself a crack at the British title. It was a result that no one could have predicted beforehand. Commanding the centre of the ring, Earl took the fight to Murray seizing the initiative from the opening bell. The shell-shocked tree surgeon crumbled under the ferocity of Earl’s attacks who was quite prepared to take a punch in order to deliver his own.
Murray’s career looked over following this stunning reversal; his second in succession after previously absorbing a systematic 10-round beating at the hands of young Belarusian prospect Yuri Romanov. Sluggish with hand and foot, Murray’s customary face-first defensive negligence made him a sitting target, but more disturbingly his punch resistance appeared to have deserted him too. Advised by some to call it a day, including promoter Frank Warren, the Harlow man went away to contemplate what remained of his boxing future. Eleven months later he was back.
Having re-discovered his appetite, in addition to sourcing a new trainer, Jim McDonnell, Murray returned in January stopping journeyman Jimmy Beech in four rounds. Far more impressively, Murray rallied strongly down the stretch to narrowly outpoint Scottish champion Martin Watson to re-enter the British lightweight mix in April. Though at times glaringly easy to hit, Murray “sucked it up” in this back-and-forth battle and showed improved stamina to subdue the younger man in the closing stages of this crossroads fight that saw Watson on the floor in the first. Six months earlier, the Scot was denied what many ringsiders believed was a clear cut points victory when he held former British light-welterweight champion Mark Winters to a disputed draw in Belfast. With his self-belief and ambition restored, Murray is determined to prove Earl’s victory over him last February was a fluke.
Steve joined stablemate Danny Williams in America as the Brixton heavyweight prepares for Mike Tyson at New York’s legendary Glesson’s gym before returning to the UK to finalise his plans for Friday’s challenge. “They say a change is as good as a rest and I think this trip will make all the difference this time round when I face Earl,” said Murray speaking from Kentucky. “I wasn’t right when I fought him last year. There were a lot of things going on outside the ring but by making this trip to America I have made big sacrifices which will pay off. I’m getting top training and the best sparring. Out here there are no distractions, I just train and sleep.” In contrast, the unbeaten Earl has prepared for his latest defence in the familiar surroundings of trainer Johnny Eames’ TKO gym in London.
Murray came within a whisker of capturing the British title in his first attempt in May 2001. Yet despite leaving Bobby Vanzie down and almost out in the opener, the ‘Viper’ rose from the canvas twice to eventually retain his crown in the seventh. Murray is confident of going one better this time though:
“I came so close to beating Vanzie in my first British title challenge and I think the opportunity against Earl has come at a great time. Earl didn’t look too impressive in his rematch against Vanzie last month and he hasn’t really improved as a fighter, whereas I have come on tremendously, and I believe you will be looking at the new champion on the night,” exclaimed Murray.
Certainly there is evidence to support Murray’s claims. Earl has failed to reproduce the blistering form that accounted for the Harlow man last year. The champion looked ill at ease as he battled to figure out the unorthodox moves of Vanzie. Whilst he isn’t the first to be befuddled by the Bradford stylist, it’s also worth pointing out that Earl laboured to an 8-round decision against Basingstoke trier Jon Honney in-between the Vanzie fights. If a complacent Earl turns up on Friday we may well see an upset.
But although there is a suggestion that Murray will fair better in this rematch, to argue that the challenger can turn the tables is something completely different. Stylistically, both boxers remain the same with the onus being on Murray to produce some fresh ideas. At 28, with several miles on the clock, it seems unlikely that he possesses the tactical acumen to trouble Earl. Indeed, Murray will be without the services of the man who has helped breathe new life into the second phase of his career – trainer Jim McDonnell will be working the corner of Danny Williams as he squares off against Mike Tyson in Kentucky a few hours later. Of course, Murray’s 16 knockouts in his 23 wins is testimony to his fearsome punching power at domestic level and provides him with a punchers chance. However, Earl’s chin is not in question. He absorbed the best Murray had to offer in their first meeting and managed to withstand a furious two-fisted assault from Bobby Vanzie in the sixth round of their rematch last month. Graham simply gritted his teeth and came storming back displaying bravery and impressive powers of recovery.
Considering the outcome of their previous engagement, another early stoppage victory for Earl cannot be ruled out especially when Murray has been halted in each of his three defeats. But just 10 stoppages in his 21 wins, and without a KO since he brushed Murray aside four fights ago, suggests he is a hurtful rather than a devastating puncher. A more focused Murray should make this rematch more interesting. It is, after all, his last chance at this level. With youth, speed and the ability to switch tactics midway through a fight Earl must be favoured to retain, however. But a rejuvenated Murray, I believe, will be competitive this time and can make it across the finishing line before ultimately conceding a hard-fought points decision to the unbeaten Luton champion.
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