UK Boxing

Former British boxing champion jailed for disgusting attacks on two women

Published

5 months ago

January 30, 2026

John Murray was jailed after two attacks on women. (Photo: Getty Images)

A former boxing champion has been jailed after assaulting his ex-partner and attacking another woman during a parking row. John Murray (41), from Levenshulme, Manchester, had a successful boxing career before injury forced him to retire in 2014. He fought notable opponents including Anthony Crolla and appeared on the undercard of the Oscar De La Hoya vs Floyd Mayweather world title fight in Las Vegas in 2007.

Murray, who started his own gym after hanging up his gloves, is now behind bars after attacking two women. Minshull Street Crown Court heard the former British and European lightweight champion worked in 2023 as a delivery driver. On January 20, he launched an unprovoked attack on a woman after she blocked her driveway.

The victim, who had two children in the back seat of the car, was punched in the face as she challenged Murray and another woman.

“How [the other woman] grabbed her by the hair, the defendant punched her in the face,” prosecutor Eleanor Myers said. “Her children were screaming, ‘Get away from my mom’ as her partner came to assist.”

Murray punched the woman again before leaving, hitting her car as he drove away. The severely shaken victim suffered a broken nose.

In a statement, she said: “It has changed me as a person. I don’t feel like I’m the same person I was. I can’t leave the house on my own anymore.”

Ms Myers told the court that on July 15, 2023, after separating from her former partner, Murray went to her home to discuss a family matter. Woken by raucous banging on the door, she looked out the front window.

“She didn’t see anything outside that would cause banging, so she turned her back,” the prosecutor said. “When she did this, the defendant climbed in through the window.”

“She fled the room and he followed her into the bedroom. He walked up to her and choked her with both hands around her neck. He held her for 45 seconds.”

Murray grabbed her by the hair and repeatedly hit her in the head. They ran downstairs and she was thrown onto the sofa by Murray, who jumped on her and bit her on the chest.

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John Murray after retaining the European lightweight title in 2010.

John Murray after retaining the European lightweight title in 2010. (Photo: Getty Images)

After the attack, Murray stated: “Look what you made me do – look at your neck.”

The victim ran outside, shouting: “Come here, you b***h.”

An audience member stepped in. Murray tried to hit him twice but missed.

The victim had bruises to her chest, neck and face, as well as a cut to the back of her ear.

“This event truly shocked me,” she said in a statement. “I never expected it to be this horrible in my life and I hope I don’t have to again. I don’t feel protected in my own home.”

Mitigating, Isobel Thomas said Murray had a successful boxing career and was “admired by many”.

“His boxing career was cut miniature… after an eye injury,” she added.

“He was forced to find a novel career and it was a hard time for him. He opened his own boxing gym and that gave him purpose. Due to financial reasons, he had to close the boxing gym. He was struggling and felt he had lost his purpose in life.”

Murray, of Lichfield Walk, Romiley, previously pleaded guilty to strangulation; assault occasioning actual bodily harm; and attack by beating. He was sentenced to three years in prison and banned from contacting his former partner for seven years, provided he has a restraining order.

Murray retired from the ring in November 2014 at the age of 29. In April, he suffered a retinal detachment in his last fight against Anthony Crolla in Manchester.

Murray finished his career with a record of 33-3. He then trained amateur and professional players at his gym in Reddish, Stockport, before it closed.

Murray entered the world of boxing after stacking supermarket shelves and flipping burgers at McDonald’s as a teenager.

UK Boxing

Re: Official Negotiating Order – Mandatory WBO Welterweight Championship – DevinHaney (champion) vs. Keyshawn Davis (#1 challenger)

Published

3 days ago

July 2, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

Re: Official Negotiating Order – Mandatory WBO Welterweight Championship – DevinHaney (champion) vs. Keyshawn Davis (fighter #1) – WBO

June 30, 2026

Re: Official Negotiation Order – Mandatory WBO Welterweight Championship Contest – Devin
Haney (champion) vs. Keyshawn Davis (#1 challenger)

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Zayas
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Ennis won R7

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UK Boxing

Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis – Odds and Betting Guide

Published

2 weeks ago

June 23, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

Zayas and Ennis face to face before the clash. Photo: Matchroom Boxing

Jaron Ennis is the bookmakers’ main favorite to defeat Xander Zayas in their highly anticipated world title clash on Saturday in Brooklyn.

Ennis challenges Zayas for the WBO and WBA super welterweight belts at the Barclays Center live on DAZN pay-per-view.

The undefeated resident of Philadelphia enters the game as the favorite on February 11 Bet365 give the 23-year-old his first professional defeat and become world champion in two weight categories.

“Boots” has stopped 31 of his 35 opponents, including Uisma Lima in his 154-pound debut in October, and is expected to stop the Puerto Rican on 20/21.

The 28-year-old last covered this distance in 2024, and a decision victory is valued at 13/2.

Zayas and Ennis face to face before the clash. Photo: Matchroom Boxing

Even though Zayas has taken over as unified champion, he is an underdog Bet365 at 15/04.

Man from San Juan defeated Abass Baraou by split decision will add the WBA belt to his WBO crown in January and his best chance of victory is rated at 13/2 by decision, while success in the shock break is rated at 14/1.

Jaron Ennis knocked out Uisma Lima in the first round in Philadelphia. Photo: Emma Brawley/Matchroom Boxing

Full Bet365 odds

The result of the fight

Xander Zayas will win the fight: 15/4
Xander Zayas by KO/TKO/DQ: 14/1
Xander Zayas by decision or technical decision: 13/2
Jaron Ennis will win the fight: 11/02
Jaron Ennis by KO/TKO/DQ: 20/21
Jaron Ennis by decision or technical: 8/5
Draw or technical draw: 14/1

Round bets

Xander Zayas

Win in round 1: 100/1
Win in round 2: 100/1
Win in round 3: 100/1
Win in round 4: 100/1
Win in round 5: 100/1
To win in round 6: 100/1
To win in round 7: 80/1
To win in round 8: 80/1
To win round 9: 66/1
To win in round 10: 66/1
To win round 11: 66/1
To win in round 12: 80/1
To win by decision or technical decision: 6/1

Zayas won by points decision over Abass Baraou. Source: Mikey Williams / top position

Jaron Ennis

To win round 1: 80/1
Win in round 2: 50/1
Win in round 3: 40/1
To win in round 4: 28/1
To win in round 5: 20/1
To win in round 6: 16/1
Win in round 7: 12/12
To win in round 8: 1/11
To win in round 9: 10/1
To win in round 10: 10/1
To win in round 11: 10/1
To win in round 12: 1/11
Win by Decision or Technical Decision: 7/4

The post Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis – Odds and Betting Guide appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

UK Boxing

Lewis Crocker vs. Liam Paro – large fight preview and predictions

Published

2 weeks ago

June 23, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

In September, Donovan was beaten a second time by Crocker. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

On Wednesday, Lewis Crocker heads to Australia to defend his IBF welterweight world title against Liam Paro for the first time.

Crocker will face Paro at the Pat Rafter Arena in Queensland, live on DAZN in the UK and Kayo Sports in Australia.

Crocker (22-0, 11 KO) became world champion in September, defeating Paddy Donovan twice before winning the rematch by split decision.

Man from Belfast recorded his second victory over Donovan after the first victory in March last year, and his rival was disqualified for hitting him after the bell.

Paro (27-1, 16 KO) is trying to become a world champion in two weight categories, having previously reigned in the super-lightweight division.

In September, Donovan was beaten a second time by Crocker. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

The 30-year-old won the title with a unanimous decision victory over Subriel Matias in Puerto Rico before winning the belt in his first defense against Richardson Hitchins.

The Australian has since won twice, overtaking David Papot in his last appearance in September.

Paro looks like a two-time IBF champion. Photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom

McKean meets Taliva

Heavyweight Demsey McKean will look to continue his rebuild when he faces Liam Talivaa for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific title.

McKean (24-2, 16 KO) had his career cut miniature after a last-round loss to Filip Hrgovic, followed by a brutal first-round loss to Moses Itauma.

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Post shared by Demsey McKean (@demsey.mckean)

The 35-year-old southpaw returned to winning ways with back-to-back stoppage victories.

Talivaa (8-2, 4 KO) last won the IBF Oceania-Orient title, defeating Faiga Opelu by first-round stoppage.

Undercard remaining

At cruiserweight, Luke Modini (13-0, 11 KO) will likely need distance to beat Peng Qu (17-2-1, 12 KO), while Riley Candy (8-1, 5 KO) could stop Nathan Watson (11-3, 3 KO) at super middleweight.

Vegas Larfield (13-1, 9 KO) can hand Shamal Ram Anuj (11-8, 8 KO) his fourth defeat in a row in a featherweight clash.

Heavyweight Nelson Asofa-Solomon (2-0, 2 KO) can secure a third straight knockout over debutant George Burgess, and Stevan Ivic (8-0-1, 2 KO) can do the same against Caleb Tialu (3-7, 3 KO), also a heavyweight.

Prospective super welterweight fighter Jack Javed (1-0) should overtake Lance McDonald (1-5-1, 1 KO).

The post Lewis Crocker vs. Liam Paro – Gigantic Fight Preview and Predictions appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.