ALEX Murphy has experienced a ‘huge confidence boost’ despite losing a close fight to Khaleel Majid on April 5.
Majid-Murphy kickstarted the Heavy Impact card at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester with an all-action English title eliminator live on DAZN, which saw both fighters go to war for 10 hard rounds.
Despite being the underdog, Murphy was competitive throughout and the 24-year-old enhanced his reputation on the undercard of Joe Joyce vs Filip Hrgovic.
Murphy told Boxing News Online: “The amount of people who were saying to my manager and my coach that I wouldn’t last four rounds or that he’s not going to get past the second.
“On paper, I suppose that’s fair to say. But I think I’ve proven all of them wrong and I was so confident in myself that I would win. So, when you’re so confident and then you fall short, it’s hard.
“It’s just a shame I didn’t nick it and I didn’t get the win. But I’m in the mix at that sort of level. So, a huge confidence boost and I’ll be even better next time.”
Both men were undefeated going into the contest, yet Majid was the higher-ranked fighter and was expected to win in dominant fashion.
However, all three judges scored the bout to Majid with narrow cards reading 96-95, 96-94 and 97-94.
Murphy continued: “I think I just surprised him. Because he was expected to wipe the floor with me, he probably came away not as happy.
“Whereas, even though I fell short, I’ve got a lot more credit. I’ve probably got more credit for losing that fight than Khaleel has got for winning.
“He had a great amateur career, four times national champion and whatever it is. I just had a mediocre amateur career, nothing special.
“Now I’m in a position where I’m having very close fights with talented fighters like Khaleel. That just puts me on the same pedestal as him in terms of what I am made of and how good I am.”
Despite not getting the decision, Murphy revealed he watched the fight the next day and admitted that Majid was the rightful winner.
“After the fight I didn’t think I had won. But I am my own worst critic. Just because it was a close fight, I would never think that I’ve won because I’m very hard on myself.
“After eight rounds I had it even, four a piece and then I think he nicked the last two rounds. The ninth round was very close and then I definitely think he nicked the tenth, so I think the right man won.”
Indeed, the Salford native believes the last couple of rounds let him down when Majid, the naturally bigger man, started to impose his size.
Furthermore, Murphy, who turned professional at 135 lbs, struggled to hurt his opponent.
“My plan of staying close and trying to outwork him was working well. In the last couple of rounds he was quite clever though. He started leaning in, putting his weight on me and spoiling my tactic.
“Hindsight is a wonderful thing. It’s what you do in there that counts. I’ve just got to give myself credit for what I’ve done and just learn from the mistakes I made.”
Still, Majid also surprised Murphy with his conditioning and determination to win.
“Before the fight I was questioning whether he would have the same heart and fitness as me.
“We both boxed on the same show five weeks before. I watched his fight and I thought he looked tired in a six-rounder.
“So I was thinking to myself in a 10-round against someone like me who sets a high pace, I thought he would have really struggled. He proved me wrong in that aspect. He maintained the pace just as well and he showed he had heart.”
Before the bout with Majid, Murphy had appeared on shows by Wasserman Boxing, Conlan Boxing and Black Flash Promotions, but he had never boxed live on DAZN or appeared on such a stacked card.
“I was just as nervous as I’ve been in all my previous fights. But I’ve worked hard to be on that stage. I’ve not been given it. I’ve done it the hard way and I just felt that sense of belonging there. I’ve done this through hard work. It was my time to shine.
“Internally, because I believe in myself so much, these are the stages I should be on. It was quite cool having the experience of walking out with a big camera in my face and even just being in the corner before the fight when they were announcing my name.”
Unfortunately for Murphy, he clashed heads with Majid in the last 20 seconds of the bout, which opened a big cut over his left eye and will prevent him from sparring for the next month.
Regardless, ‘Super’ Alex Murphy confirmed he will move back down to 135 lbs following his defeat.
“I’m a big 135-pounder yet I’m probably a small 140. I did feel like towards the later rounds when Khaleel was leaning on me and walking through me, that he was just a bit too strong.
“I spoke to my nutritionist today and he said he’s more than confident I can do 135. So why not be big at that weight if I can make it, especially with the day before weigh-ins? I’ve got plenty of time to refuel and rehydrate.
“I think that’s the plan now moving forward. Go back down to lightweight and just see what’s next. But I loved being on the big stage in a big fight. I want more of that to come.”
