When he first stepped into a boxing gym, Colm Murphy was immediately teased for having a ‘Posh Boy’ accent.
Since then, he has taken ownership of the label – originally intended to be an insult – and used it to his advantage, often fighting with a degree of ferocity that contradicts his intriguing moniker.
It is perhaps because of this that the 26-year-old has always fought with a chip on his shoulder, hoping to show the world exactly what he is made of, which equally explains why he is taking on a sizable challenge against former world title challenger Jono Carroll tonight.
Ahead of his assignment in Dublin, Murphy recalls being underestimated by those who, in the nicest sense, could not even dream of lacing his boots.
“Growing up, I went to a grammar school where the boys played rugby, so it was unheard of for someone to box.
“But I went to my local boxing club [aged 14] in West Belfast – I’m originally from South Belfast – and I stood out with my voice and stuff like that, so they kind of took the piss out of me and called me the ‘Posh Boy’.
“None of those people box anymore, so with me turning professional and reaching a level they couldn’t reach, I now own that [‘Posh Boy’] label.”
While those at Murphy’s gym overlooked his true potential, the kids at his school seemingly gave him no chance of even entering a competitive bout, let alone having considerable amateur success and crafting a 16-0 (6 KOs) professional record.
“People at my school laughed at me for trying out boxing – they all said I’d quit after a few months. Now they get to watch me on TV.
“It’s funny, but I’m also grateful for it. I went to a school that was a wee bit stuck-up, but everyone was really challenging.
“As a kid with learning difficulties, it ended up actually bringing out the best of me, because I was so competitive [with them].”
Having only just claimed the Commonwealth super-featherweight title – scoring a sixth-round finish over Saleh Kassim at the end of January – Murphy will now face Carroll, who fell short on points against then-IBF champion Tevin Farmer in 2019.
But while acknowledging that the 33-year-old is his toughest opponent thus far, by some distance, Murphy equally believes that he is ready for an opportunity of this magnitude.
“When opportunities like this come up, you have to roll the dice a wee bit and take them. I know it’s a huge step-up, and it’s going to be a big challenge, but I believe I rise to these moments.
“I’ve been in with really good operators my whole life, even as an amateur, and me and Jono don’t fall far from the same tree.
“He entered the same competitions as me as an amateur boxer himself, so I think a warrior like him is going to bring out the best out of me.”
The pair will square off for the vacant IBO title, featuring on the undercard of Jazza Dickens vs Anthony Cacace tonight, with Murphy looking to continue proving his detractors wrong.
