Martin Murray wins by Technical Decision, will Face Golovkin in February

(Golvokin left, Murray right)

Middleweight champ Martin Murray defeated Italian Domenico Spada on Saturday, which guaranteed him a fight against undefeated Middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin. The two had signed a contract to fight, stating that they both had to win their next fights. Golovkin KO'd Marco Antonio Rubio last week, and Murray won via Technical Decision on Saturday to lock the fight in with Golovkin.

This fight was stopped in the 7th round due to a cut by Spada's right eye. The ringside doctor had examined the cut numerous times throughout the fight, and advised referee Daniel Van de Wiele that it was unsafe for Spada to continue. By rule, if a cut occurs from a headbutt that is deemed accidental, or from a clean punch and the fight is stopped, then it goes to the scorecards if it was past the halfway point of the fight (6th round of a 12 round fight). If the fight was stopped prior to the halfway point, then it is automatically ruled a technical draw. In this case, the fight was stopped in the 7th and Murray was ahead on all three scorecards, so he won via technical decision.

Looking ahead to the Murray-Golovkin clash in February of next year, Golovkin is likely the favorite in the matchup. Both fighters will likely provide the toughest test to eachother in each of their respective careers.

(Photo Credit: http://www.martinmurrayboxing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/golovkin-murray.jpg)