In a pivotal lightweight encounter held at the Manchester Arena, Aqib Fiaz secured a significant unanimous points victory against a determined Alex Murphy. The win serves as a crucial step for Fiaz, effectively reigniting his career trajectory following a challenging period.
The judges` scorecards reflected a competitive bout, reading 97-93, 96-94, and 96-95, all in favour of Fiaz, who is trained by Jamie Moore and Nigel Travis.
The Short-Notice Challenge Accepted
Alex Murphy, stepping in on just two weeks` notice to replace an injured Michael Gomez Jr, deserves credit for his readiness. With a professional record of 13-2 heading into the contest, Murphy showed few signs early on that he had taken the fight without a full, dedicated camp.
For Fiaz, now 14-1 with 2 knockouts, this bout represented a vital opportunity. It was only his second fight – and first competitive test over distance – since suffering a stoppage defeat to Reece Bellotti in 2023. The pressure was clearly on to perform against a credible opponent.
Battle Lines Drawn in Manchester
Both fighters contributed to a lively atmosphere, setting the stage for the later main event. From the outset, Murphy, hailing from Salford, showcased tidy footwork and established his prolific jab, using his range effectively. He punctuated the opening round with a sharp combination, hinting at his intentions.
Murphy continued to utilize his mobility and reach in the subsequent rounds, maintaining distance and creating opportunities for his long-range assaults, while Fiaz`s output remained relatively low in the early exchanges.
Fiaz Finds His Rhythm and Pressure
A noticeable shift occurred around the third round as Fiaz introduced a greater sense of urgency. He began landing eye-catching hooks, though Murphy`s reach made closing the distance a technical challenge. The 25-year-old Fiaz elevated his intensity further in the following frames, steadily marching forward and forcing Murphy to dig into his defensive toolbox.
Fiaz started establishing a rhythm, particularly through a series of explosive hooks delivered in close quarters. These inside exchanges began to swing the momentum in his favour, demonstrating his adaptability after the initial rounds.
The Turning Point and Final Rounds
By the seventh round, the effects of Fiaz`s relentless pressure seemed to be manifesting, with Murphy appearing to battle fatigue. Capitalizing on this, Fiaz unleashed sequences of blistering flurries, pushing the pace and landing the more potent attacks in an effort to clearly pull ahead on the scorecards.
Despite the mounting pressure and evident weariness, Murphy commendable maintained a high tempo and remained competitive right through to the final bell, ensuring the ten-round contest felt closely contested until the official scores were read.
Pressure Pays Off
Ultimately, it was Aqib Fiaz`s sustained pressure and intensity in the middle to late rounds that earned him the victory on the judges` scorecards. The win is a significant boost for Fiaz, confirming his ability to overcome adversity and secure a vital decision in a tough local derby, while Murphy earns respect for accepting and competing fiercely in a demanding short-notice assignment.
