07.03.04 – Anthony Farnell sensationally regained his WBU World Middleweight Title by stopping Scotland’s Lawrence Murphy in the third round of their battle in the hostile Braehead Arena in Scotland. In what was clearly billed as Farnell’s last chance to break into the big time of the sport, it was clear from the outset Farnell was in a determined mood knocking his opponent to the canvas three times during the course of their short but exciting fight.
Although Anthony Farnell was ranked higher in most of the independent rankings, it was the Champion Lawrence Murphy who most journalists and even readers on the British Forum at EastsideBoxing.com heavily favoured to come out on top in what was clearly going to be an intriguing clash. Murphy was defending his WBU Middleweight Title after sensationally knocking out Birmingham’s Wayne Elcock in the first round of their contest in November 2003. As already mentioned Farnell was clearly at the “Last Chance Saloon”, and if he were to lose this fight, it would have been difficult for his promoter Frank Warren to place him in any meaningful contests.
So to the fight …
From the very first bell it was clear Murphy’s game plan was to box on the outside of the ring and to keep Farnell away with his jab and superior reach advantage, for the first third of the round it seemed this plan may work, however Farnell had very different ideas. Farnell was stalking Murphy, and by using lots of upper body movement he caught Murphy with a stinging overhand right which sent him to the canvas for the first time in the contest. The punch only seemed to momentarily stun the Scot and he was clearly annoyed and somewhat embarassed at being caught so early in the contest and worse in front of his hometown fans. British Eastside felt Murphy did very well indeed to survive the round and he indeed endeavoured to keep to his game plan but alas it seemed to no avail.
In the second round it was clear Farnell now knew how to catch his opponent and he did so with alarming regularity with the overhand right shot which the Scotsman did not seem to have the experience to avoid. Murphy was yet again sent to the canvas by the favoured Farnell right hand shot and yet again the Scotsman was annoyed but he showed a great deal of inexperience by rising far too quickly from the Farnell onslaught. Murphy yet again did extremely well to survive the round.
It seemed for the first part of the 3rd round, Murphy had learnt by his mistakes in the first 2 rounds and he seemed to be boxing well off his favoured jab and was having some success, this success however was short lived as Farnell was far too determined to be deterred by the Scotsmans attempts to keep him away. This time Farnell sent Murphy to the canvas with a sickening left hook which was ultimately the fight winning punch. Although Murphy beat the Referee’s count, Farnells next onslaught had his opponent turning his back and thus leaving Referee Dave Parris no alternative but to call a halt to proceedings after 1 minute 36 seconds of the third round.
Anthony Farnell was understandbly elated after what has to be the best performance of his career, especially after being written off by so many people throughout the sport. Farnell was full of praise for his new trainer Oliver Harrison but also had some kind words to say about his old gym in Manchester “The Phoenix”. Clearly the sparring he had from Michael Jones stood him in good stead for the contest.
So what next for the popular and well supported “Arnie” Farnell?, Although some think a logical choice for the new WBU Middleweight Champion would be to avenge his defeat at the hands of ex champion Wayne Elcock, Farnell is not so keen citing the fact Elcock was not willing to return the compliment after defeating the Mancunian first time around. Perhaps Gary Lockett is a logical choice, but, British Eastside has thrown up a potentially exciting clash with Wayne Alexander as a fight which would excite the general public and also reignite their previous bitter rivalry.