Despite being the taller and seemingly more accomplished boxer, Spencer had no answer to Murray’s counter-punching, which saw the Jersey boy attack from both left and right. As the bout wore on, it was always Murray who was more elusive as he rained in hits which earned him points.
Leonis coach Dave Thompson said: ‘Ben’s counter-punching was exceptional. He is a game kid and he slipped through Murray’s lead time after time. At one stage a double blow really unnerved Spencer in front of a crowd who recognised how well Murray was boxing. He fully deserved his win on points.’
Other Leonis victories came from Boyd Munroe at light-welterweight as his natural aggression saw him defeat Shaun Mullin, who was lucky to see out the contest, so strong was his opponent after the first two rounds, while Decio Ferreira’s superior fitness proved decisive as he beat serving army officer Gary McCuaig at welterweight over four rounds.
Eighteen-year-old Tommy Noel at middleweight had Jamie Thompson in real trouble by the second round, doubling him with a wicked left hook to the body and going on to beat him decisively before the end of the scheduled three rounds.
At middleweight Danny Maka, switching from southpaw to orthodox, beat Michael Jewell in an aggressive bout which he always looked like winning, while Tom Frame at junior flyweight beat Matt Vanemmenis on points during a well-controlled bout in which the Jerseyman’s solid right hand counterpunching kept him well ahead of his opponent during their three-round battle.
In the junior bantamweight division Scott Finnigan beat Ben Owen on points in a more nervy battle which included a superb explosive right hook by the Jerseyman, who won on points. Lightweight Adrian Carr’s bout was stopped at the end of the first round when a combination of punches opened up Devon’s Joss White’s nose.
In the other bouts Shane Goggin, at welterweight, defeated Kamil Tuzimek after the latter was injured with a cut under his right eye at the end of round two, while Alain Kennedy, at cruiserweight, lost to Martin Strzelczyk, having been forced to retire at the end of round one. Danny Kennedy, at welterweight, was ready to go into the ring before his opponent had to withdraw from the contest.
As well as the ten main bouts there were two special events which featured Ruben Legge taking on Joe Rogersen and Craig Culkin meeting Mahmound Ahmed Farag.
Afterwards Dave Thompson said: ‘Despite the scoreline, Devon pushed us hard. It was a good contest and I know my boys are looking forward to their next competition, against a Midlands Select, on 19 April.’
Jersey Leonis were sponsored by Minerva Financial Services and the trophies were presented by Ted Clucas, of Herald Sports Promotional International. The officer in charge was Kevin Baudains and the medical officer was Dr Lisa Macey.
