Murphy Triumphs Over Haji to Secure Commonwealth Silver Featherweight Title

Colm Murphy showcased an extraordinary performance at the iconic Ulster Hall on Saturday night, retaining his Commonwealth silver featherweight title with a decisive victory over Tanzania's Kasimu Hamad Haji in just three rounds. The match was the highlight of the Nations Fight Night, where Murphy, also known as 'Posh Boy' from South Belfast, demonstrated exceptional skill and composure under pressure.

Coming into the bout with an impressive record of 13 wins, Murphy was undoubtedly riding high on confidence. From the outset, he established control, boxing patiently while strategically breaking down his challenger. Haji attempted to land his punches in the second round, but Murphy's significant size and power soon turned the tide. In an electrifying climax, he unleashed a combination that left Haji unable to recover, ending the fight as the referee counted him out.

The evening also featured an exhilarating co-main event where Nathan Howells captured the Celtic super-featherweight title from John Cooney in a gritty showdown that spanned nine intense rounds. Despite suffering an early setback, Howells exhibited remarkable resilience by recovering and applying relentless pressure that ultimately overwhelmed Cooney. A blistering body shot marked the turning point, leading to Cooney's defeat amidst Howells' unwavering offense.

In addition to these high-stakes matchups, the crowd witnessed other significant bouts, including a comeback victory for Belfast flyweight Connor Quinn against Sean Jackson. Rising star Jack O'Neill notched his first career knockout against Luke Fash, while James Freeman, Charles McDonagh, and Teo Alin all secured their wins on points.

With such thrilling encounters, the Nations Fight Night was a resounding success, leaving fans eagerly anticipating Murphy's next move in his boxing career.