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Last Updated: 04/12/20 11:36 pm
Billy Joe Saunders sealed a points win over Martin Murray
Billy Joe Saunders completed a masterful points victory over Martin Murray to retain his WBO super middleweight title and stay on track for a big-name fight in 2021.
The undefeated 31-year-old dominated from the first round with his superior in-ring skills as Murray fell short on his fifth world title attempt, suffering a unanimous decision loss with scores of 120-109, 120-109 and 118-110. in The SSE. Arena, Wembley.
Saunders was agonizingly close to a May meeting with Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez, who will instead fight compatriot Brit Callum Smith later this month, but Hatfield’s man remains in contention to face the winner after a win. with class.
Saunders soon found his rank in the early rounds.
Taking center of the ring, Saunders sought out early starts with his probing jab and followed up with a stiff left hand in the first round.
Murray was taking cover behind a high guard, but Saunders shoved him away with a fierce flurry in the second, while the arrogant champion unloaded a jerky uppercut in the third.
Saunders attacked fiercely in the fourth, sending Murray to the mat, but referee Phil Edwards severely ruled out a knockdown.
Murray struggled to cope with the speed and movement of the WBO champion
Murray desperately tried to make a dent in the elusive Saunders when he wildly missed in the fifth, though he did manage to land body shots during a sixth round.
Blood trickled from Murray’s nose in the seventh after sharper counterattacks from Saunders, who received harsh words from Edwards after a low blow in the eighth.
Murray, fired up by missed punches, tried to land a hard hit in the ninth, but Saunders saw it coming, responded with sharp shots and threw another uppercut in the 10th.
Saunders sealed a resounding points victory in the final rounds
Only Murray’s toughness was denying a stoppage for Saunders, who completed a wide scorecard win in the final rounds.
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