Murray Froze in Cardiff but will come again

June 25 Jonny Stapleton

John Breen claims Andy Murray froze when presented with the chance to propel his career beyond domestic level in Cardiff last month, but is confident if given time the Cavan star will thaw and come good again.

The Belfast based trainer claims the big occasion got to the ‘Quiet Man’ and the real Murray was not on show in his European lightweight title fight with Gavin Rees.

Even more frustrating for the 2009 Irish Coach of the Year was the fact the supper fit Murray didn’t take advantage of the fact his Welsh counterpart was struggling in the latter rounds.

Breen believes a body shot in the seventh round had Rees reeling and can’t understand why the Irish champion didn’t take advantage.

“That wasn’t the really Andy Murray you seen that night,” Breen told www.irish-boxing.com.

“The occasion got to him. He didn’t rise to what was the biggest fight of his career. He did the hard work, was fit and had the talent to beat Rees, but didn’t perform on the night. He was falling short of his punches in the early rounds. Rees was gone then in the latter rounds. Andy landed a left hook to the body and Rees was in bits. We told Andy to throw that again, but he froze. For some reason he didn’t let it go again.”

Despite being upset with his charges Welsh display Breen predicts Murray will rise again.

However, he stressed two time WBO lightweight champ Michael Katsidis would prove the wrong return fight for the Cavan fighter, who owned Irish boxing longest unbeaten streak prior to his Rees reverse.

Breen admitted Brian Peters did approach them about fighting the tough Australian, but the respected coach, who also looks after Michael Kelly, Paul McCloskey and Jamie Conlan, believes every fighter needs a comeback confidence booster.

“That was the first time Andy lost and he has the talent to return. I think one more win and he is back in the mix. He might need a confidence booster. A lot of fighters need to get a win under their belt after they loose for the first time. Brian suggested we take Katsidis, but I really think Andy needs a win before he fights him. Most fighters would like and need to get a win under there belt after a loss on the big stage like that.”