Frustrated Noely Murphy focused on Joyce as former foe fights for World Title
Noely Murphy [12(2)-1(0)-1] admits he will cut a somewhat frustrated figure when he watches former foe Mikkel LesPierre challenge Maurice Hooker for the WBO light welterweight world title in Verona, New York this Saturday night.
The New York-based Cork fighter lost in agonising fashion when he took on the Trinidad and Tobago born slickster for the WBC United States title early last year.
Murphy would then endure a long time out, which included some sparring with Hooker, before returning with a disappointing draw in December. Meanwhile, he watched on as his former rival registered two more wins before securing a title tilt as a voluntary for the Matchroom champion at the Turning Stone Resort & Casino.
In that regard, Murphy looks back at their fight frustrated, but does take some solace from the fact he could have easily got the better of a world title challenger in just his twelfth fight.
“It’s frustrating,” Murphy admitted to Irish-Boxing.com
“That’s just the way it is. I felt I could have easily won that fight if I held my composure , but that happens.”
“I’ve learned an awful lot from that fight! I’m looking forward to watching at the weekend.”
The performance put in by Murphy and the fact a late point deduction cost him a majority draw shows him that world level is attainable, and he believes he will one day return to the top table.
However, first, the 24-year-old Macroom man has an interesting all-Irish fight in Boston to over come first and he claims he is not looking past Lucan’s John Joyce.
The Rebel temporarily steps up in weight to take on the Dubliner on a Murphys Boxing show at the House of Blues on Saturday March 16th and sees it as a second chance at a restart.
“I will definitely be back at that level,” he promised ahead of his eight rounder with Joyce.
“I know I can mix it with the best of them I’ve being doing it in New York for years now, but first I have to get through John Joyce. You can’t overlook anyone in this game!”
