Aussie Jackson Murray dominates in US debut after rival’s ‘terrible’ act

Australian heavyweight Jackson Murray secured the win in his overseas debut despite his rival going to bizarre extremes to get under his skin.

Jackson Murray earned the win in his overseas debut. Picture: Supplied

Australian heavyweight Jackson Murray enjoyed a stunning overseas debut, beating unbeaten American Steven Torres via unanimous decision (60-53 x 3).

Murray, nicknamed ‘White Chocolate’, showcased all of his slick footwork and head movement against Torres who simply had no answer for the Australian’s laser-like jab and sharp body shots.

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The Aussie also secured a knockdown in the third with a right hook, but replays showed Murray landed an illegal blow to the back of Torres’ head and it should not have counted.

Torres was also repeatedly warned by the referee for his in-ring conduct having abused Murray when his mouthguard accidentally fell out and pushed the Aussie after breaking from the clinch.

The American heayweight also came under criticism from former world champion Timothy Bradley Jr on commentary when he attempted to kiss Murray during the fifth round.

“What? Ay, man, you’re in the wrong sport, man,” Bradley Jr said.

“We don’t do that in the boxing ring, man.

“What? Oh, no. He’s trying to get into his head. That’s what he’s trying to do.

“But what are you doing? What for? Why? I don’t get it. You’re not winning the fight right now. That’s terrible.”

Jackson Murray earned the win in his overseas debut. Picture: Supplied

Despite needing a finish in the final round to win, Torres looked shell-shocked in the final round as Murray landed a sweet combo and had the American rocked.

Ultimately the finish remained elusive, but it was a major win for Murray who wowed the commentary team in Las Vegas.

Murray’s victory was one of several on the undercard in the lead-up to Shakur Stevenson's WBC lightweight title victory against Edwin De Los Santos.

But the main event was a lacklustre affair despite Stevenson claiming a unanimous decision victory over Edwin De Los Santos for the vacant WBC world lightweight crown on Thursday.

The unbeaten 26-year-old improved to 21-0 with 10 knockouts after easing past De Los Santos via margins of 115-113, 116-112, 116-112 at the T-Mobile Arena.

The win sealed Stevenson’s third world title at different weight classes after stints as featherweight and junior lightweight champion.

But it was a lacklustre showing from both fighters, and the crowd signalled its disapproval through the later rounds as boos echoed around the arena.

De Los Santos landed just 40 punches throughout the 12 rounds, according to the official Compubox statistics. It is the fewest number of punches ever recorded in a 12-round fight since the system was first introduced 38 years ago.

What a dud fight. Photo: Steve Marcus/Getty Images/AFP

Stevenson acknowledged the uninspiring showing following the bout.

“I had a bad performance tonight, that’s all I’m focused on,” he said. “I wasn’t feeling too good. I’ll live it, it’s OK, I came here to get the victory and that’s all I wanted to do.” Stevenson declined to say if injury or illness had hampered his performance, brushing off questions about his left hand, which he landed only 21 times during the contest.

De Los Santos meanwhile accused Stevenson of negative tactics after his defeat.

“I came to fight, he came for a track meet,” De Los Santos said. “I came to fight tonight, and Shakur Stevenson decided not to fight. He was gifted the title but I am the champion of the people.”

With AFP

FULL CARD

Shakur Stevenson def. Edwin De Los Santos — for WBC lightweight title

Emanuel Navarrete DREW with Robson Conceicao — (114-112 Navarette, 113-113x2) for WBO super featherweight title

Brian Norman Jr. def Quinton Randall via UD (99-91 x2, 97-93)

Floyd Diaz def Max Ornelas via SD (77-73, 78-72, 74-76)

Troy Isley def Vladimir Hernandez via UD (77-75 x 3)

Emiliano Vargas def Brandon Mendoza via TKO in Round 2

Jackson Murray def Steven Torres via UD (60-53 x 3)

Abdullah Mason def Jose Cardenas via KO in Round 2

Originally published as Aussie Jackson Murray dominates in US debut after rival’s ‘terrible’ act