Special features

Murray - More to come

Last updated: 23rd November 2008

Murray & Renda: friends

I didn't come into this competition to lose, I came to win it. I've done that and now hopefully good things will come from it.

Martin Murray
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HATTON v MALIGNAGGI
IBO Light-Welterweight title
9pm, Saturday, November 22
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Martin Murray hopes his Prizefighter success will be the platform to bigger and better things.

The man from St Helens was crowned the middleweight champion after a thrilling final victory over brave Cello Renda, live on Sky Box Office.

Murray edged a split decision thanks to a first-round knockdown and became the first pre-tournament favourite to prevail at the fourth attempt.

The win over Renda, quarter-final success of Tony Rae and semi-final decision over Danny Butler took his professional record to a perfect 12-0, but the 26-year-old says there is more to come.

"I didn't come into this competition to lose, I came to win it," he told Sky Box Office.

"I've done that and now hopefully good things will come from it."

Murray admitted that the plan was to box Renda, particularly after flooring him with a right in the first.

But the man from Peterborough came bulldozing back and the final turned into a free-for-all for the remaining two rounds, while the eventual winner was forced to abandon his gameplan.

"That was one hell of a fight, probably the best fight I've been in," he said.

"In the first round when I had him down I thought I could finish him off but he came back strongly and it made for a good fight.

"I like having a slug and thought I'm better off sticking to my boxing skills. But then I thought 'this is the Prizefighter final - I might as well have a go back'! I enjoyed it."

Runner-up Renda cast off his disappointment to hail all eight contenders in Barry Hearn's latest winner-takes-all slugfest.

The first set of Prizefighters were awarded the British Boxing Board of Control's Sportsmanship award and the fourth line-up also lit up the York Hall all night long.

"He won, fair play to him, he's a good lad and I wish him all the best," said Renda.

"I made eight friends tonight and they will be my friends for the rest of my life. It was an absolutely tremendous fight and a tremendous night.

"I can't wait for the next one... put my name down!"