Amateur career

Murphy had an amateur record of 157-17, winning the 1979 Light Heavyweight National Golden Gloves and earning a spot on the 1980 United States Olympic team. However, as the USA boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow

Moscow

Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...

 due to political reasons, Murphy and the rest of his team were not allowed an Olympic berth.

Professional career

Known as "Solid Gold", Murphy turned pro in 1980 and won the IBF Cruiserweight Title with a 14th round TKO of Marvin Camel

Marvin Camel

Marvin Camel is a boxer and member of the Salish Kootenai Nation of the Flathead Indian Reservation in Northwestern Montana. He was born in Ronan and fought out of Missoula...

 in 1984. He defended the title three times before losing the belt to Ricky Parkey in 1986. After the loss, Murphy's career drifted into obscurity with losses to Dwight Muhammad Qawi

Dwight Muhammad Qawi

Dwight Muhammad Qawi is a former world boxing champion in the light heavyweight and cruiserweight divisions...

 in 1987 and Mike Evans in 1991. He retired after the loss to Evans, but launched a brief comeback in 1998, winning both of his bouts.

Personal

Lee Roy's brother, Kenny Murphy

Kenny Murphy

Kenneth Murphy is a Scottish former footballer who played international football for Australia.-Career:Murphy signed for Dundee United as a youngster but never played for the first team. Murphy moved onto to Forfar Athletic before migrating to Australia. Here, he played for a number of clubs, also...

, was also a prizefighter and fought Fabrice Tiozzo

Fabrice Tiozzo

Fabrice Tiozzo is a retired professional boxer in the light heavyweight division. His record is 48-2 .Tiozzo was a two time light heavyweight champion as well as a one time cruiserweight champion....

for the WBA Cruiserweight Title in 1999.

External links