DEFENDING RECORD, BUT... Murphy's Injured Thumb Still Worrying Him

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30560, 1 October 1964, Page 19

DEFENDING RECORD, BUT... Murphy's Injured Thumb Still Worrying Him

The right thumb which the New Zealand professional light-weight champion, Dion Murphy, injured last May is still not completely recovered. / “It is as right as it ever will be,” Murphy said yesterday.

He has been training intensively during the last five weeks and is very fit for his fight against the Queenslander, Arthur Bradley, at Canterbury Court this evening.

Murphy hurt his thumb while training for his fight against Peter Cobblah in May and aggravated the injury in the bout which went the full 10 rounds before he won a split decision. Never the Same

Murphy has not been in the ring since May. He said last evening that his thumb would never be the same again but had not been giving him undue trouble in training. He has been doing road work every morning on the seashore at North New Brighton and in Rawhiti Domain. Every evening, he has been sparring and doing exercises with his trainer, Martin Maunsell, a St. Anne’s gym. He had the advantage of sparing with the Olympic Games boxers, Brian Maunsell and Paddy Donovan, before they left for Tokyo. Open to Left Hooks

Murphy may be tested to the utmost if he is to beat Bradley tonight. The Australian, an attacking boxer with

a lethal left hook, has the advantage of being match fit. He knocked out his last opponent, on Friday of last week. Murphy has shown himself

open to left hooks in his previous bouts. He also has the psychological disadvantage of worrying about attempting to maintain his unbeaten record as a professional. However, against both Amarfio and Cobblah, Murphy showed that he possesses both stamina and courage, as well as exceptional boxing skill.

If Murphy can weather Bradley’s all-out attacks in the early rounds, he should win. The longer the bout goes, the better Murphy’s chances.