Irish Bob Murphy

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For other persons named Robert Murphy, see Robert Murphy (disambiguation).

Bob Murphy, (July 22, 1922 – August 1, 1961), was an American light heavyweight boxer who fought from 1945 to 1954. He was born Edwin Lee Conarty in Flagler, Colorado, but fought out of San Diego, California. Murphy, who was a southpaw, made the Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.

He unsuccessfully challenged Joey Maxim for the light heavyweight championship on August 22, 1951. Although Murphy entered the ring as the favorite, Maxim clearly out boxed him and won a unanimous 15 round decision.

Murphy's biggest win came on June 27, 1951 against former middleweight champion Jake LaMotta, who had moved up to the lightheavyweight division after losing his crown to Sugar Ray Robinson. La Motta appeared poorly prepared for the bout and was stopped when he could not answer the bell for the eighth round. The two fought a rematch on June 11, 1952, and La Motta won the decision. Murphy retired in 1954 with a 65-11-1 record with 57 knockout wins.

Murphy was killed in a road accident when he crashed his motorcycle and broke his neck on August 1, 1961.

[edit] References

  • "Murphy Choice to beat Maxim for Title Tonight", New York Times, August 22, 1951