Arthur Abraham retains super-middlewight title

Hanover, Germany: Germany’s Arthur Abraham defended his WBO super-middleweight title with a split decision, then paid tribute to Martin Murray as the British fighter failed for the fourth time to win a world crown.

Abraham, 35, took the victory 115-112, 112-115, 116-111, to register his sixth successful defence of his title in Hanover on Saturday in Hanover. With a tight defence and accurate flurries, home favourite Abraham had too much class for the St Helens fighter.

Murray, 33, wasn’t helped by having a point deducted late in the fight for holding although the penalty had little impact in the final analysis.

“I trained hard, have shed blood and sweat. I was technically and tactically the better boxer,” said Abraham.