Martin Murray Grabs Quick TKO Win, Sets Up Groves Clash

By Elliot Foster

Martin Murray warmed up for his big domestic fight with George Groves next month by picking up a stoppage victory.

The St Helens super-middleweight, a four-time world title challenger, will take on the Hammersmith puncher in seven weeks’ time, but he still had to get tonight’s job done.

Murray took less than two rounds to get rid of Belgium’s Cedric Spera on the undercard of Anthony Crolla’s WBA lightweight title defence against Ismael Barroso, live on Sky Sports, at the Manchester Arena.

Spera couldn’t keep Murray away in the opener but somehow managed to see it through until the break.

But it was the second round that proved to be the end as Murray dropped his man twice before Phil Edwards had seen enough.

The one-sided victory sets up the Groves showdown, which takes place on June 25 at London’s O2 Arena as part of the undercard to Anthony Joshua’s IBF heavyweight title defence against America’s undefeated Dominic Breazeale, and it’s a fight that Murray has every chance of winning as we head into it.

Earlier in the card, Hosea Burton warmed up for his British title defence later this month with a stoppage victory.

The Joe Gallagher-trained light-heavyweight, 27, is set to defend his domestic crown against Liverpool’s Tony Dodson on May 29 at Goodison Park and he stopped Michal Ludwiczak, of Poland, who was finished early for the first time, with two seconds remaining of the fourth round after two knockdowns.

And Warren Baister extended his pro ledger to 4-0 (3 KOs) with a one-round blowout of Czech opponent Stanislav Eschner, who is now 1-1, after just two minutes and 18 seconds.

Baister, a former Team GB member, is now set for action again in three weeks’ time at the Rainton Meadows Arena.