Moore stops Murray in third round
… `Fat men’ exhibition fizzles out to a draw
GUYANA’S world-rated super-bantamweight champion Leon ‘Hurry Up’ Moore scored a third round stoppage over Mark ‘The Killer’ Murray in the main event of the Holland Entertainment Promotions in collaboration with the Guyana Boxing Board of Control eventual four-card event, for whatever reason, dubbed ‘Foreign Invasion’ Part 2, which took place at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground on Saturday night.

Super bantamweight champion Leon Moore gives the victory sign after his fight with Mark Murray was halted in the third round.

However, the evening’s card-puller, an exhibition three-rounder between two fat men, Georgetown’s Shawn Harris and Linden’s Fahad Ali did entertain but fell short of the initial impact it created in terms of the expected fireworks.

Earlier in the evening the opening fight was between female fighters, Avalon Scotland who weighed in at 201 lb against the City’s Ali Marques who tipped the scales at 153 lb in what was a ‘catchweight’ clash.

The lighter and crispier puncher Marques took a unanimous decision over the heavier Scotland and appeared to be better equipped at this stage of their careers, when the four-rounder ended.

The second fight between junior welterweights Eamont de Clau and Linden’s Cassius Matthews did not materialise, with the third scheduled fight bringing together national heavyweight champion Mitchell Rogers and number one ranked contender Clyde Williams.

The heavier Rogers proved too big and strong for his opponent Williams who initially took the fight to Mitchell in the early part of the first round.

Weighing 203 lb Williams seemed intent on making a statement, but it was eventually Rogers who staggered Williams with a left cross against the southpaw opponent

Rogers added three upper cuts and a right cross as he pummelled Williams, who by then was holding on for dear life, to close out the first round.

The fight ended, as Williams remained on his stool, apparently on advice from his corner, and referee Franklin Brisport had to wave off the contest which was scheduled for six rounds.

In the other catchweight match between world-ranked #9 Moore, who weighed in at 129 lb gave way to Murray who was 20 lb heavier. Moore scored a third round stoppage after Murray sustained a cut over his left eye in the third round.

It was the first time Murray has been stopped in his career and this must have done some measure of good to Moore, the #9 ranked WBC super bantamweight who is hunting a world title fight this year.

It was Murray who began the fight in round one with a right jab to the face of Moore but Moore followed this up with two of his own.

Later a right swing by Moore connected as he continued to lead with his right which allowed him to keep the heavier Murray at a distance. There was a brief exchange towards the end of the first round but Moore certainly won that round.

Moore began this round with the jab to the face of Murray who was now looking to counter-punch off the leads by Moore.

Later Murray was lunging to connect jabs of his own but Moore seemed comfortable in jabbing his way before looking for the combination punches.

Another good left by Moore connected to Murray and towards the end of this round both fighters were able to land punches with Moore stealing the round.

Round three began with both fighters looking to gain control in the scheduled eight-round scrap, but as the exchange became intense it was obvious which boxer was the crisper puncher. While Murray was able to get in punches the telling right jab of Moore did damage the eye of Murray. With 1:55 left, ringside doctors Dr John Dickenson and Dr Farouk Ryasat were summoned to the ring by referee Eion Jardine when blood began to flow from Murray’s left eye. As a result the fight was halted in favour of Moore.

The night cap encounter was between the 300-plus fighters Harris and Ali.

This three-round exhibition fell short of expectations. Georgetown’s Harris weighed 347 lb and Ali tipped the scale at 366 lb.

The first round was a feeling out by both ‘fat men’ but Harris was shooting his left jabs with some frequency while Ali seemed resigned to feign and fake punches with the occasional left jab which often fell well short of the intended mark.

His faking with his right hand was good show-boating but it did not earn him any points and Harris slipped away with that first round.

The second round was another feeling-out round but Harris was the more serious of the two.

The third round was another ‘exhibition’ round with Harris smiling as he knew he was displaying better boxing skills while Ali was better at entertaining, without many telling shots.

Towards the end Ali seemed to be doing what the legendary Muhammad Ali had done against Floyd Patterson. However, the mining town’s Ali was by no means punishing his opponent and easily out-pointed Harris.

Eventually the fight ended as a draw, but many felt Harris had done enough to gain the nod but the esteemed judges thought otherwise.