Chopper Harris

Brave Murray is cut down in three in title tussle.

- Simon Euan-Smith

JAY HARRIS made a successful first defence of his Commonwealth flyweight title, flooring and halting Castlemilk’s brave Ross Murray in three rounds at York Hall on a British Warrior Boxing promotion. Down in the second and third, Murray was taking stick on the ropes when referee Marcus McDonnell called a halt after 2-48.

Murray was just one pound lighter than the champion at the weigh-in, but he looked about two divisions below his rival on the night – Harris (Swansea) had height and reach advantages, and used them well. He scored with long jabs in the first, and already it was clear Murray had problems. The challenger made a big effort in the second, trying to take the fight to Harris, but was trapped on the ropes and shipped a couple of solid head punches.

A cut appeared in the corner of Harris’ left eye, and the champion dabbed at it, clearly unsettled – but he quickly recovered and opened up to have Murray under pressure on the ropes. Then Harris crashed in a huge left to the body, and Murray went down in a neutral corner. He beat the count, and the bell stopped Harris from following up – and Murray came out aggressively for the third.

But Harris rallied, landing both hands, and finally a burst to the head sent Murray down on all fours. He clambered up at ‘eight’ and came forward gamely, but he was trapped on the ropes, and an unanswered burst to the head prompted Mr McDonnell to stop it.

Andre Sterling (New Cross) won the vacant Southern Area light-heavy weight title after a hard-fought 10-rounder with Clapham’s Kirk Garvey, referee Kieran McCann scoring 96-94.