EXACTLY 21 years ago Joseph Murray was in Russia to fight Anatoly Alexandrov. The two super featherweights met at the Sports Palace in Perm, Russia on May 7, 1994.The Guyanese had celebrated his 27th birthday one day before, but the Russian unwrapped a gift that Murray was not happy to receive.
With the World Boxing Council International super featherweight (junior lightweight) title at stake Alexandrov unleashed early on his opponent to win by KO in the second round. It was only the second defeat in 20 fights for Murray whose first loss had come at the hands of Winston Goodridge six years earlier.
Alexandrov moved on to win the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) super featherweight title while Murray’s career took a nosedive after that. On April 18, 1993 he won the World Boxing Council (WBC) FECARBOX super featherweight title following a hard-fought and well-earned points-decision over Frenchman Jacobin Yoma.
The fight was considered by many to be his best performance of his career that spanned 13 years. Murray also fought Sugar Shane Mosley but suffered a third-round knockout. He had his final fight in December of 2000 and ended with a total of 19 victories and six defeats.