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I saw a recent picture posted with former world title challenger John Scully with his friend, and former world champion, Charles “The Natural” Murray.
This took me down the late 1980s to early 2000s junior welterweight/welterweight highway. And, what a ride that was.
South Orange, New Jersey-born Murray would turn pro in 1989 and wrap up his 15-year run in 2014 with an impressive record of 44-9, 26 KOs.
Throughout his career, he tested himself against a long list of contenders and champions. His career highlight was a 1993 IBF super lightweight world title, UD win against Rodney Moore over 12 rounds in Atlantic City.
Murray turned pro in ‘89, after an impressive amateur career, and would go 19-0 by 1991 before dropping a decision to future world title challenger Terrance Ali.
After that, he would go 8-0 from 1991 to early 1993, including wins over future legend Micky Ward, former world champion Livingstone Bramble, and contender Tony Martin, among many others. This would take him to his world title win in May of 1993.
After beating Moore, he would make 2 title defences, against Juan Laporte and Courtney Hooper in ’93, before losing the title to Jake Rodriguez in early 1994.
From 1994-2000, he would have 16 bouts, coming in at 13-3, only dropping fights to talented Ray Olivera (twice) and thunderous punching Mexican Alfonso Sanchez.
However, in this 6-year run, he also posted victories over Fitz Vanderpool, Tony Lopez, Reggie Green, a rematch win over Jake Rodriguez, Livingstone Bramble (again), and Israel Cordona. An impressive list, to say the least!
He would finish off his career with 4 more bouts from 2000-2004.
Charles Murray, a long-time Rochester, New York resident, was honored with a ‘Champions Parade’ in 2016 by Monroe County legislator Willie Lightfoot. He was described by Lightfoot as “A champion in and out of the ring. A young man raised in a challenged neighborhood, by a single mom, and he went on to do great things in the sport of boxing”. He also went on to say that “He has given back so much to his community, earning all of our respect”.
Murray retired with a world title in his trophy case, a great record, a ledger of contenders and champions, and the respect of everyone he faced.
Charles “The Natural” Murray – congratulations on a great career and so many great nights under the lights.
