Murray beats Spada to set up Golovkin showdown

Martin Murray © GettyImages/Fotobank.ua

Middleweight Martin Murray (29-1-1, 12 KOs) set up an expected February showdown with WBA champion Gennedy Golovkin with a seventh round technical decision over Domenico Spada (39-6, 19 KOs) on Saturday night at the Salle des etoiles in Monte Carlo, Monaco. The bout was stopped abruptly at 1:19 of round seven due to a minor cut suffered earlier by Spada, who was furious about the plug being pulled. Scores were 67-66, 68-63, 69-67. Golovkin was at ringside scouting Murray.

In a clash for the vacant IBF bantamweight title, unbeaten Randy Caballero (22-0, 13 KOs) scored a twelve round unanimous decision over former champion Stuey Hall (16-4-2, 7 KOs) on Saturday night at the Salle des etoiles in Monte Carlo, Monac. Caballero dropped Hall in round two, but the scrappy former champion battled back and the result was uncertain until the official announcement. Scores were 116-111, 116-111, 118-110.

WBA/IBO strawweight champion Hekkie Budler (27-1, 9 KOs) retained his titles with a twelve round unanimous decision over former WBC champion Xiong Zhao Zhong (24-6-1, 14 KOs)o. Zhong dropped Budler in round two, but Budler came back to floor Zhong in round three and take over the fight from there. Scores were 114-112, 118-108, 114-112.

In a highly anticipated battle of unbeaten light heavyweights, Eleider Alvarez (16-0, 9 KOs) scored an impressive seventh round TKO over Ryno Liebenberg (16-1, 11 KOs). Alvarez floored Liebenberg in round six and the bout was stopped in round seven due to damage to Liebenberg’s nose and left eye. Time was 1:52. Alvarez won the WBC silver belt.

Super middleweights Sergey Khomitsky (29-11-3, 12 KOs) and Nick Blackwell (15-3-1, 6 KOs) battled to an eight round draw. Scores were 76-76, 76-76, 58-56 for Blackwell.