After a packed night of boxing here are my views on what tonight's pugilists should do next.
After what started as a slow night on SKY Sports John Murray and Kevin Mitchell definitely saved the best until last.
A resurgent Kevin Murray proved his critics wrong stopping previously unbeaten John Murray in what will be seen as a British fight of the year candidate.
Frank Warren is believed to start negotiations with Top Rank's Bob Arum to secure a title shot with WBA regular champion (don't ask) Brandon Rios. Personally I think Rios vs Mitchell would be a great fight. Rios has a similar come-forward style to Murray but Rios is more technically astute and his work looks classier.
I like John Murray he is rarely in a bad fight but it's interesting what step he takes next.
He is European level so a fight with European champion Gavin Rees down the road would be entertaining. As a comeback fight I would like to see him tackle Andy Murray from Ireland.
Tony Bellew defeated Ovil McKenzie on points by out boxing and keeping a strict game plan. I'll pull no punches there was no excitement compared to . At one point Bellew's corner believed Bellew was putting on a boxing masterclass... They must of been watching a different fight.
The fight on everyone's lips is Nathan Cleverly vs Tony Bellew. It will be a great fight when it happens but I think a fight that could be made in the meantime could be Tony Bellew vs Danny McIntosh. Another problem for Tony is if he wants to win the belt outright or just move straight on to Nathan Cleverly
Well where does Ovil go from here? To be honest I doubt he will get a chance to fight for a major title again.
Unfortunately, Ricky Burn fight against Nicky Cook ended in farcical fashion. After SIX seconds of the 1st round Burns caught Cook with a body shot and then Cook was on the canvas clutching his back. It was Later revealed on SKY Sports he had suffered a prolapsed disc in the base of his back.
It surprised me how Nicky Cook was able to get through a 10/12 week camp with a history of back issues, pass all the medical test's and then enter the ring. Surely the BBBofC should looked at more medical records and questioned why Frank Warren put a boxer who has only fought four times in three years a title shot. Its detrimental to Nicky Cook's health and Warren's promoting credibility.
As for Burn's he needs to be given opposition that provide a test for him. Mzonke Fana would be perfect as Burns wants the Ring Magazine belt, but this will only be when his promoter decides to promote one of his prize assets effectively. Although I can see Goldenboy Promotions pushing the WBO to sanction a title shot for WBO number one rated and up and coming star Adrain Broner.
Frankie Gavin beat Curtis Woodhouse via a split decision. I think the 'winner' out of this is Curtis Woodhouse he lasted twelve rounds withe a former amateur world champion when many expected him to be blown away.
I think Woodhouse next opponent should be someone along the lines of Dean Harrison and then Lenny Daws. It will help Woodhouse gain experience and put some names on his record.
Gavin needs to drop down a weight, he is to small for the weight and also he lacked 'pop' in the punches. I also think he may need to travel to a few gyms in America to develop his style and maybe travelling away for a training camp may be the way forward for him.
Moving up the M62 to Oldham, Lee Purdy stopped Craig Watson in five rounds in what was a repeat result of when they first clashed on the 16th of April.
Purdy will be gunning for a rematch against Denton Vassell who he lost to in 2010 to combine the British and Commonwealth titles.
As for Craig Watson I believe it would be best if he regrouped and tried to challenge for the Commonwealth title at light middleweight.
Crossing over to Germany Marco Kap'tain Huck knocked former WBA light heavyweight champion Hugo Hernan Garay in ten rounds.
Huck is an entertaining fighter and developed a bit of a cult following when Setanta used to have a TV deal with Sauerland, his promoter. One big option for Huck is IBF champion Steve 'USS' Cunningham, who previously defeated Huck a few years back. Another option is Denis Lebedev of Russia who I believe, was robbed when he faced Huck last year.
Finally we make our way to Mexico where Juan Manuel Marquez KO'ed Likar Ramos in a round, in preparation for a third meeting with Manny Pacquaio. His brother Rafael Marquez stopped Eduardo Becerril in the seventh round and he has targeted a showdown with WBC super bantamweight title holder Toshiaki Nishioka who is regarded as the number one boxer in the division, if he can make the weight. At thirty six the weight may not come off as easy in years gone by.
For me the star of the show was Roman 'El Chocolatito' Gonzalez. Gonzalez from Nicaragua, has a record of 29(24) he is only twenty four in the second lowest weight class. Usually lower weight fighters do not get the attention they deserve but the hard punching Managua native has the style that will excite the crowd and a great nickname.
His opponent Omar Salado was over matched but it was great to see Gonzalez in full flow. Salado went down twice in Round 1. After Salado was knocked down again in Round 7, his corner asked the referee to stop the fight.
While there are not many big names in the light flyweight division there is a lot of talent. I am hoping Giovani Segura doesn't move up in weight as it would be a fascinating fight. Though the WBA are up to their old tricks again and have already nominated a interim champion, when really there was no need to. Hernan Marquez may be next up for Gonzalez, hopefully it will be televised in the USA as Gonzalez is an exciting fighter and he deserves the TV coverage.
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