BOXING:ANDY MURRAY stretched his unbeaten run to 23 at the expense of Brazilian lightweight Claudinei Lacerda at the Breaffy House Resort in Castlebar on Saturday night.
Lacerda, ranked 14th in the world, dropped Murray with a right in the first round of Brian Peters’s 50th promotion, but the Cavan fighter got off the floor to chalk up an impressive 98-92 points win after 10 rounds.
The 28-year-old now has his eyes on his Manchester-born namesake John Murray’s European belt. A world title shot is also being mentioned.
“I was more off balance than anything else with the knockdown,” said Murray, “but it was still a good punch and I wasn’t complaining about the count. My back leg went and I just couldn’t keep my balance.
“It was the first time I was knocked down as a professional and only the second time in my life.
“I’d seen clips of Lacerda fighting so I knew pretty much what to expect. I knew he was fast and tough, and I knew all along that it wasn’t going to be easy. He was ranked 14th in the world, so this has to move me up a few places, and I certainly feel ready for a shot at the European title.”
Meanwhile, Belfast’s Ciarán Healy did the double over John Waldron, who he beat two years ago, to capture the Irish light-middleweight title with a fifth-round stoppage.
Unbeaten Dublin featherweight Patrick Pajo Hyland, the current Irish champion, racked up his 21st win with a comfortable, 78-73 points verdict over Suat Laze of Albania.
Belfast heavyweight Martin Rogan, who outpointed Germany’s Werner Kreiskott 59-56, hopes to get another fight under his belt before the year is out.
Elsewhere on the undercard, local favourite Henry Coyle, Finbarr Eade, Darren Cruise and Paul Truscott recorded wins.
