Colm Murphy Claims Commonwealth Featherweight Championship
Colm Murphy from Belfast has claimed the Commonwealth featherweight championship following a decisive victory over Saleh Kassim of Tanzania at The Mill in Newtownabbey. The bout concluded with Kassim’s corner deciding to stop the fight after the sixth round due to what they cited as a hand injury. However, it was evident throughout the match that Murphy was firmly in control, showcasing his skills and strategy.
Historic Achievement
With this win, Murphy makes history as the first Northern Irish fighter to hold the Commonwealth featherweight title since Billy ‘Spider’ Kelly, who achieved the feat in the 1950s. This win brings Murphy’s professional record to an impressive 16 wins with no losses. Looking ahead, he is set to rise to the super-featherweight division to challenge Dublin’s Jono Carroll for the IBO title on March 14, as part of the undercard featuring Jazza Dickens and Anthony Cacace.
Post-Fight Reflections
After his victory, Murphy reflected on the match, stating, “He came out swinging, but we watched him and knew he would come forward. I made him miss a lot in the first round and could feel him breathe heavy, so I kept my defense tight, worked him to the body and was coming on stronger. I put in a good performance there and have another big challenge ahead of me, moving up in weight for another 12-rounder. I’ve nothing to lose here against a great fighter, so I’m all for it.”
Fight Analysis
The fight saw Kassim start off energetically, but Murphy quickly seized control by using his jab effectively, which disrupted Kassim’s plans to fight on the inside. Though Murphy occasionally left himself exposed to right-hand counters from Kassim, these punches lacked the power to seriously threaten him. In the fourth round, Kassim landed a strong left, but Murphy’s counter-punching proved to be far more impactful, leaving Kassim struggling.
In an unexpected turn of events, Kassim was penalized a point in the fifth round for headbutting, further tilting the fight in Murphy’s favor. By the sixth round, Murphy increased his offensive output against a visibly fatigued Kassim, leading to his corner’s decision to retire from the bout. With this title win, Murphy not only secures an important accolade but also sets the stage for an exciting matchup against Carroll in the near future.
Looking Ahead
For boxing enthusiasts, this victory contributes to an already thrilling boxing calendar heading into 2026, with fans eagerly anticipating upcoming bouts and events. Stay tuned for more updates on fights and matches over the coming months from the world of boxing.
