Manchester’s Joe Murray scored a 6th round KO victory in Denmark against local unbeaten favourite Rashid Kassel on Saturday night in a fight of the year candidate.
Murray was rocked early on, but came back to drop Rashid twice in a lively opener, although the second knockdown wasn’t counted. Murray was going for it and nearly got him out of there but the bell went to stop an exciting opening session.
The next two rounds were quite in comparison, but kept the crowd on the edge of their seats as both looked to take the upper hand and gain control of the action.
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The fourth round saw Rashid come on strong and it was a harder round for Murray who was caught by some flush right hands. But the Mancunian ‘Cotton Eyed Joe’ was staying in there and showing his heart and toughness against the home fighter.
Kassel remained dangerous and kept pressing Murray. He had recovered well from the knockdown and now it was Murray who was feeling the pressure. But Murray still looked focussed and in the 6th began to plant his feet and work to the body well to the instructions of brother and former British and European champion John Murray in his corner. Murray’s right hand started to land well and then in a split second it landed perfectly and dropped Kassel on his back and out.
Kassel bravely struggled to get to his feet but the referee waved it off to give Murray a memorable win.
Murray is now firmly back in the championship picture and will be a threat to anyone in the lightweight division.
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