Boxing World
Francis Warren, Boxing Promoter
These two guys have a very similar style. We have seen in their recent fights that they are extremely effective going forward, and tend not to take too many backward steps. Most would argue that this favors Rios, but we saw how dangerous Murray can be when he had Kevin Mitchell in trouble in the early rounds of their fight earlier this year. The only element lacking in his arsenal that night was the finish, and I am sure that John and Joe Gallagher have been working on improving that element to his game. Rios is as tough as they come and will pose Murray problems, but what we can be guaranteed of is an explosive fight, and one which is unlikely to last the full twelve. My prediction: Murray by KO, 6-8. Murray
Philip Gill, Professional Boxer
John Murray is too one dimensional and gets picked off by another late stoppage after showing what a warrior he is. Rios
Kyle Hit’em Whitham, Professional Boxer
I believe this will be a great war. John Murray is a warrior but faces a even tougher warrior. Kevin Mitchell set out the blue print to beat John, but Rios won’t follow that as he just wants to fight. Be a good fight but I think Rios has a bit more, Rios by late stoppage between 9-12. Rios
Kevin James Campion, Professional Boxing Trainer
Murray will have chances early on, he will be hungry and will want to prove his doubters wrong. But if he doesn’t get Rios out of there by the fifth Rios will take over. Late stoppage for Rios. Rios
Ashley Theophane, Professional Boxer
John Murray lost to Kevin Mitchell in his last fight so I don’t know if he is capable of beating Rios. Murray is still untested on the world scene. It will be a great fight though, as John comes to fight, and Rios can be beaten. I think a boxer will have more a chance with Rios as he seems one dimensional. I’d like Murray to win but I just can’t see it. Rios
Callum Johnson, Professional Boxer
I predict a war. They both come to fight and it will be an exciting fight for the fans. I’m backing my gym mate John Murray to cause an upset, and bring back the title. Murray
Kerry Kayes, CNP Professional
I think it is going to be a big ask and I’m hoping Rios is underestimating John and thinks he is going to get him out with a knockout. John is a lot tougher than people give him credit for. It’s common knowledge that John’s camp for the Mitchell fight was not as good as it could have been, and that John left Joe for a short time, but now they have kissed and made up and I know both of them will be putting everything into this.
Chris Steel, Professional Boxer
That’s not a fight I would bet on, but if I went with my gut feeling I would say Rios, he’s very strong with a good chin and workrate. Definetly can’t see it going the distance, it will be a war. Rios
John McCallum, Professional Boxer
I think this will be a classic fight. I can see it being close early on with Murray giving Rios a lot of trouble, but I can see Rios knocking John out middle to late, but I hope Murray pulls it off for British boxing. Rios
Matt Yanofsky, CEO of Knockout Publicity and Boxing Advisor
There is an old saying that pressure bursts pipes, and I think that’s exactly what’s going to happen on December 3. Rios is an offensive machine and is an elite pressure fighter. Murray has decent skills and isn’t going to go out without putting up a valiant effort, but what will happen when he gets dragged into a dogfight and tries to fight fire with fire? He’ll fail. Rios by fifth round stoppage. Rios
Stefy Bull, Professional Boxer
I would love John Murray to win, he’s a great fighter but coming off a defeat like he has will question his confidence. He’s up against it away from home but its a big occasion and a fight he can win. All the best Team Murray. Murray
Ringnews24.com Writers
James Tonks
There comes a time as a boxer when you need to grab the opportunity in front of them with both hands, John Murray knows this and like John said “Its something I dreamed of when I first put on the gloves”. John’s a huge outsider and there no doubt he will have to dig deep to be able to hold that belt aloft at the end of the fight. Murray just needs to look across the border to see how much Ricky Burns was a outsider going into his fight with Roman Martinez, and we all know the media and fans aren’t hallways right when it comes to predictions. I give Murray a slight chance, however I can’t see Murray winning this with his predictable come-forward style, I think he need’s to change his style to win this fight and try box Rios rather than slugging it out with him. Good luck Murray Rios
Gav Bridges
If Boxing has a series of moulds from which fighters are produced, these boys came from one and the same. Like an angry wife, they will be snapping in your face all night. What is the crux of the fight is what ingredients make each man. Rios has without doubt got the pedigree, a lengthy amateur career, a stand-out, and he has carried such credentials on to the pro game. He has good, not quite great, names on his record, yet he still has a tendency to show still amateur traits for periods in fights. Can John Murray take advantage? He left, then returned to Joe Gallagher’s tutelage, after losing to Kevin Mitchell, how will this have affected both men? He left the gym originally citing lack of focussed training as the issue, it’s incredible what the offer of World Gold does to a relationship (I must say, I got the scene from ‘Rocky’ floating through my head when I heard of the resurrection of relations! Where Mickey goes cap-in-hand to the Rock…) but will it be a fruitful one? Murray is a lucky man right now. He has got a chance at a coveted title, some may say by default, so how will he react? Will Rios offer complacency? No. I see John coming out hard, and trading on a few occasions with Brandos, but however nonchalant the champ has the tendency to be, John Murray hasn’t had enough time to seek redemtion from a loss, a stoppage loss to boot. I expect a noble performance for 3 to 4 rounds, but Rios will impose himself therein, his power and habit of turning up the heat at the right time to end the fight around the fifth. Rios KO. Rios
Lee Skavydis
Rios by brutal knockout! I have always thought that Murray’s ability was overrated. He’s a true warrior with a big heart but comes across as one dimensional and has had a habit in the past of making what were supposed to be easy fights, wars. Rios goes toe to toe like Murray but is a very strong lightweight who can end fights early. Murray has to grind his opponents down to get the win and is more a volume puncher. When it comes to power for power, which will be the main factor of this fight because of the styles, Rios will be the one holding his hand up high when the winner is announced. Rios
Daniel Vano
Rios overwhelms him big time. Antillon, a bigger, stronger, harder hitting come forward fighter was destroyed in three rounds. Murray, coming off a loss will have lots to prove, but will do extremely well to hear the 5th round bell. Rios takes him out whenever he likes. Rios
Brooklynbrawler
Much respect to Murray for getting straight back in the ring with arguably his best opponent to date. Likewise, if Rios is the real deal (I think he still has a lot to prove) then he’ll need to look good against Murray.Rios is without a doubt the most skillful fighter of the two, but Murray has a lot of heart and will push this all the way. I fancy Rios to have a little too much for him, and a mid to late KO may be on the cards for him again. If he’s worked on his defence, then it may be closer, and Murray is certainly capable of knocking out Rios, if he’s given an opening. Rios
Daniel Norris
Brandon Rios’ last fight was an epic three round war against Urbano Antillon. This fight against John Murray should be about the same. Murray is a big hearted warrior, who comes forward. Rios is exactly the same way, only he has more tools in his tool box. On paper, this fight is exactly like Rios-Antillon, and it should be about the same. Both come forward, both take some bombs, but Rios comes out on top and wins this fight early. Rios
Scott Graveson
I really fear for Murray here. We’ve seen him in recent fights where he’s taken a huge number of clean shots (El Ouazghari, Mitchell). His defence was never great but he had the power and heart to take over and win bouts. Against Rios he finds himself in with someone who is a bigger, stronger, more powerful and a tougher version of himself. Murray’s heart may hold him in the fight for a few rounds but he will be taking a lot of punishment along the way. I Can’t see it lasting more than seven unless Murray starts to run away, and even that didn’t do Acosta any favours and from Acosta’s last fight he looks a very ruined fighter. Rios
Dave Murphy
It would seem to be a “made to order” fight for Brandon Rios. Murray has a lot of heart and is willing to take shots to land them, and that’s a bad recipe for anyone taking on Rios at the moment, who seems to be coming into his own. In the wake of the Mitchell defeat, you have to respect Murray not just “getting back on the horse” but actually finding a tougher one to ride. It’ll be exciting while it lasts, but I don’t expect that to be too long. Rios by stoppage inside of five rounds. Rios
Rob Day
All I see in this fight is a painful night for John Murray. He’s a brave man taking this fight after a defeat and against the most dangerous Lightweight on the planet. Brandon Rios is really growing into being a champion and fights with ‘Bad Intentions’. I see Rios not having to go far to find a willing Murray and unfortunately John’s style is made to measure for Rios. Rios to win in around five rounds. Murray just hasn’t the accuracy or speed of punch to do any damage to this calibre of champion. Rios
Ryan McHugh
This has all the makings of, and potential to be fight of the year. Two guys who always leave everything in the ring and only know one direction, forward. The clash of styles and aggression should make for an explosive fight while it lasts. I’d love Murray to pull off the upset, but I really can’t see it. Rios is the same fighter as Murray, but better. Rios by TKO inside 8. Rios
Fans Predictions from our RN24 Facebook and RN24 Forum
Stuart Fraser, Ringnews24 Facebook
Rios will be too strong against Murray, who must be low in confidence after the Mitchell fight. The mess with him leaving and then returning to the Gallagher won’t have helped either. Can see Rios being stronger on the inside and Murray being without a plan B before being stopped somewhere around the seventh. Rios
Eddie Walton, Ringnews24 Facebook
John learnt his lesson, he’s going to be stronger and there’s going to be a major upset. There’s a storm heading for America and it’s called John Murray. Baton down the hatches boys. Murray
Aaron Ormrod, Ringnews24 Facebook
Not much to say, they are both the same kind of fighter but one does it better than the other. Rios will have too much power for Murray, who while giving it his all, will meet a similar fate to that of the Mitchell fight. It should be fun while it lasts. Rios
Bobby Waterboy Swinney, Ringnews24 Facebook
I like john Murray a lot, but I think this is maybe a step too far for him at this time. They are both very similar, but Rios has power and a few game plans, and the ability to adapt to an ever-changing bout. I am thinking Rios will take it late on. Rios
Scott Alexander Simpson, Ringnews24 Facebook
I think this will be alot closer than people think. I don’t think Murray will be as gung ho as in the past and particularly against Mitchell. The lesson’s learnt in that fight could be the key to victory here. Expect a much tighter defence and more variety as JM gets back to basics and boxes Rios. He won’t be hanging around inside too long, and will be in the fight while it lasts. Ultimately Rios will be too strong and I think we can expect a decisive onslaught after seven rounds to leave Murray beaten by TKO, probably after getting up and the ref intervening. Rios
Charlie Suku Jnr, Ringnews24 Facebook
Brandon Rios will overwhelm Murray early, and a desperate Murray will take too many risks and pay the price and get stopped in nine. Rios
Deck, Ringnews24 Facebook
I think Rios will probably knock Murray out. Rios is a wild fighter but while Murray is more skillful, Rios has a better chin and hits harder. Murray’s defence also isn’t good enough to keep Rios away for twelve rounds. Rios
Neil, Ringnews24 Facebook
I honestly can’t see past a Rios win via TKO, Murray will put up a tough fight as he always does, but I would expect him to be stopped anytime after the 6th round. Murray’s problem will be confidence, and he’s just too easy to hit. I would like to see him win but I very much doubt it. Rios
Chris, Ringnews24 Facebook
Good fight. I think unless Rios simply outgrows the division and struggles to make the weight, he is going to be hard to beat due to his mentallity and relentless style. Murray should have his moments early, but Rios will still be there getting stronger and stronger and should wear Murray down torwards the mid/late rounds. Rios
Joe KO, Ringnews24 Forum
John Murray is mince meat in this one, Rios is on another level than Murray. They have similar styles but Rios just has too much power and strength for Murray, who will get stopped inside three rounds. Rios
Londoner, Ringnews24 Forum
Brandon Rios is world class and will very soon more than likely a P4P elite fighter. He really is top notch. He is often called a brawler but I would say he’s more than that. Yes, he gets hit and likes to get into a tear up, but on the other hand he also has a decent jab and can mix up the boxing/brawling as he pleases. Murray is coming off his first defeat and a big one at that, to fellow Brit Kevin Mitchell. He was outclassed and outboxed and eventually couldn’t change his gameplan to counter Mitchell’s good display. You would have to think Rios will beat Murray by KO in what could be a brawl. I expect Murray to do a little better than most would expect him to but still think he’ll lose by KO/TKO. My prediction: Rios TKO 8. Rios
Meathead, Ringnews24 Forum
The easy option is to back Rios, however Rios is a very crude boxer who can punch. The first person he faces who elects to box rather than outgun will give him problems. Is Murray the man to do that? Probably not, but this fight is by no means a foregone conclusion. My prediction is that eventually Rios drags Murray into a war and stops him late, but Murray will elect to box him in the early rounds. If, and its a big if, he can box for twelve rounds, Murray could be in with a real chance. Rios
Prediction Scores as follows
Boxing World: Murray 3 Rios 7
Ringnews24 Writers: Murray 0 Rios 9
Facebook and Ringnews24 Forum: Murray 1 Rios 11
Total: Murray 4 Rios 27
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