Martin Murray put on another great performance for his home crowd at Robin Park Arena, with a dominant win over Nick Blackwell to collect the British Middleweight title to his growing collection of belts. Although the fight went pretty much as predicted, Blackwell showed lots of promise and determination in the ring. He was clearly up for the fight, and came out with a lot of confidence in the first round throwing fast flashy combos, although most were absorbed on the arms of Murray’s tight defence. Murray showed a lot of respect, and landed clean jabs and body shots testing the defence of Blackwell.

In round 2, both fighters landed some head shots although Murray’s shots were clearly having an effect on Blackwell, while Murray seemed unfazed. Although bloodied, Blackwell responded instantly to the landed shots with fiery combos showing great determination but also his inexperience as he missed or simply hit the the arms of Murray.

In the following rounds, Murray remained consistent with his pressure but started throwing bigger shots. breaking down the resolve of Blackwell. Both fighters landed body shots, but Murray seemed invulnerable to the shots while Blackwell seemed to be hurt with every attack. At the end of the fourth round, Blackwell slumped onto his corner chair with a pained expression, and complained of difficulty breathing and suggesting that a rib might be broken; a likely outcome as this has happened to several of Martin’s opponents in the past. However, Blackwell continued on to a tough fifth round which he managed to survive but the writing was on the wall. His corner mercifully stopped the fight, as Blackwell would not have given up and risked further injury by carrying on.

Martin was delighted to have won the Lonsdale belt, a title that he had wanted ever since he first turned professional and fellow stable mate Jamie Moore won his Lonsdale belt. Martin commented that he felt completely in control of the fight, and thought that the fight may have ended sooner. Although he had a lot of respect for Nick for taking the fight, he believed it was too soon in his professional career and he wasn’t ready for such an undertaking. Promoter Ricky Hatton suggested that Martin was completely dominant and didn’t appear to get out of first gear, simply doing what was needed to win the fight.

On winning the fight and taking home the Lonsdale belt, Martin said:

“I’m made up, I’ve always wanted this belt since I was an amateur. I always said that when I won it I would dedicate it to my first amateur trainer John Chisnall [manager of the Glass boxing gym in St Helens and very influential in Martin's life], who died in 2005, so this one’s for John.”

When asked what is next for Martin, Ricky Hatton said:

“I think Martin is becoming a really well rounded professional now. There’s a 3 way domestic rivalry at the moment with Barker, Macklin and now Martin catching them up now. Martin is 28 years old, he’s in the peak of his career, and I think he’s going to be the man of the division.”

Hatton promotions have been very successful in setting up good fights for Martin, and he’s now won 3 titles with them so hopefully the big fights that he’s after won’t be too far away.