The first fight on the DAZN broadcast throws up a genuinely compelling lightweight matchup. Alex Murphy, the Salford-based “Super” with 16 professional fights and zero career knockouts, takes on Josh Holmes, the unbeaten 17-0 English lightweight who brings the finishing power Murphy conspicuously lacks.
The subplot makes it even richer: Murphy lost to Aqib Fiaz by unanimous decision in July 2025 — and Fiaz is fighting on this same card, later in the evening against Jordan Flynn. The Manchester domestic lightweight scene is settling scores tonight.
| Date | Saturday, March 28, 2026 |
| Venue | Co-op Live Arena, Manchester |
| Promotion | Queensberry Promotions |
| Division | Lightweight (135 lb) |
| Rounds | 10 |
| Broadcaster | DAZN (UK & Global) |
| Estimated Ringwalk | ~5:00 PM GMT / 12:00 PM EST |
Alex Murphy (14-2, 0 KOs) is the 24-year-old Salford lightweight who trains at VIP Gym under former British champion Jamie Moore. Nicknamed “Super,” Murphy built an extended unbeaten streak before consecutive losses in 2025 — a unanimous decision defeat to Khaleel Majid in April, followed by another UD loss to Aqib Fiaz in July.
The 0-KO record across 16 fights is the defining statistical fact of his career: Murphy is a pure technical boxer, not a puncher. When he operates behind his jab and controls distance, he accumulates rounds impressively. When opponents close the gap and land cleanly, the scorecards can tip either way. His October 2025 bounce-back win over de Oliveira showed his ability to respond after setbacks — and at 24, this remains a career that can go in multiple directions.
Josh Holmes (17-0, 6 KOs) is the 30-year-old unbeaten English lightweight who brings genuine power to this contest. His October 2025 unanimous decision win over Cesar Ignacio Paredes over 8 rounds showed he can perform at this level across a full evening’s work — and the 35% KO rate represents a real and consistent finishing threat that Murphy has never had to worry about against himself.
Holmes’s unbeaten record creates expectation, but it also raises the central question: has he been truly tested against a slick, technical boxer like Murphy? The profile says he can punch. Saturday tells us whether he can punch a moving target.
| Alex Murphy | Josh Holmes | |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 14-2 | 17-0 |
| KOs | 0 (0%) | 6 (35%) |
| Age | 24 | 30 |
| Height | 5’10” / 178 cm | 5’9” |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
The KO rate contrast is the headline number: 0% vs 35%. Murphy outboxes his opponents and lets the scorecards do the talking. Holmes punches hard enough to skip the scorecards entirely when he lands.
Alex Murphy — Last 4 Fights
| Date | Opponent | Result | Method | Rd |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | Jonatas de Oliveira | W | PTS | 8 |
| Jul 2025 | Aqib Fiaz | L | UD | 10 |
| Apr 2025 | Khaleel Majid | L | UD | 10 |
| — | — | — | — | — |
Josh Holmes — Recent Fights
| Date | Opponent | Result | Method | Rd |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | Cesar Ignacio Paredes | W | UD | 8 |
| (17-0 unbeaten across career) |
Murphy’s two consecutive defeats before the de Oliveira win make this a must-win contest for his title aspirations. Holmes arrives undefeated and hungry for his first major test.
Both fighters are orthodox, which removes the southpaw variable and makes this a clean test of fundamentals: footwork, jab, hand speed, and who can impose their style over 10 rounds.
Murphy’s technical boxing and ring movement will be tested by Holmes’s willingness to close the distance and throw the power shots his 6 KOs suggest he can land. The critical dynamic: Murphy has never been stopped in his career, but his back-to-back losses to Majid and Fiaz showed he can be beaten by fighters who match his work rate and outwork him physically.
For Holmes, the 0-KO record across Murphy’s 16 professional fights is actually relevant in reverse — it means Murphy’s chin is relatively unexplored. Holmes, with his 35% KO rate, may be landing harder shots than Murphy has ever absorbed consistently. If Holmes can get to Murphy cleanly in the middle rounds, this fight changes.
Alex Murphy
Josh Holmes
| UK Odds | US Moneyline | |
|---|---|---|
| Murphy | 61/100 | -160 |
| Holmes | 6/5 | +120 |
The pricing reflects genuine competitiveness. Murphy’s technical toolkit and experience under Jamie Moore give him the edge, but Holmes’s unbeaten record and finishing power make this anything but a formality. Prediction: Murphy W SD 10.
| Country | Broadcaster | Start Time |
|---|---|---|
| UK | DAZN | 5:00 PM GMT (Opening Broadcast Fight) |
| USA | DAZN | 12:00 PM EST |
Estimated ringwalk: ~5:00 PM GMT / 12:00 PM EST (first fight on the DAZN main card).
The complete Magnificent Seven card previews:
When is Murphy vs Holmes? Saturday, March 28, 2026 at Co-op Live Arena, Manchester. Estimated ringwalk ~5:00 PM GMT (first fight on the DAZN main card).
How to watch Murphy vs Holmes? Live on DAZN in the UK and globally. Main card starts at 5:00 PM GMT.
Why does Alex Murphy have 0 KOs? Murphy is a technical, points-based boxer rather than a natural puncher — his game is built on movement, jab control, and outboxing opponents rather than raw power.
What are the odds for Murphy vs Holmes? Murphy is a slight favourite at 61/100 (-160). Holmes is 6/5 (+120) — genuinely competitive odds that reflect the real uncertainty in this matchup.
What’s the Murphy–Fiaz connection? Murphy lost to Aqib Fiaz by unanimous decision in July 2025. Fiaz is fighting on this same card later in the evening against Jordan Flynn. A Murphy win while Fiaz also competes reshapes the domestic lightweight picture in one night.
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