Brett (Ouch) Murray of the Vernon Boxing Club took provincial light heavyweight champion Tryston Burke of Powell River to the limit at the annual Jimmy Gallagher Cloverdale card last Sunday.
Burke, 20, was in his 10th bout at 178 pounds and took a three-round decision, winning all but the final round. Murray, 42, was in his fifth fight.
“Tryston showed in the first two rounds why he is the provincial champ as he throws twice as many punches as most other light heavyweights,” said Vernon head coach Brian Jones. “Ouch fought a very tough fight but held his ground and kept the fight in the middle of the ring. The third round was all Ouch as he outpunched and outlanded the champ, keeping him backing up and defending.”
Kyle Muratoff of Vernon was outpointed by Brennan Dumas of Maple Ridge in a 150-pound bout.
Muratoff, who has had eight fights, had his first two opponents drop out, and ended up fighting an open fighter in Dumas, who has won all 16 of his fights.
“It was an extremely tough battle as both Kyle and Brennan are technical boxers,” said Jones. “The first round was Kyle’s as he did his usual stick and move style, slipping most, but not all of Brennan’s attacks, but still landing most of the punches. However in the last two rounds, Brennan’s experience and sharp attacking skills came through for him.”