ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Veteran Terrence Alli outboxed favored Charles Murray Sunday to win a 12-round split decision that will cost Murray a chance to fight for a world title next.
Alli, 47-7-2, battered the previously undefeated Murray, 20-1, in the final round, backing the younger fighter from one neutral corner to the other with head shots until the final bell.
The last round decided the outcome. Judge William Costello scored it 113-112 for Alli and Don Ackerman had it 115-113 for Alli. Don Nodecker favored Murray 114-113.
Alli, a 31-year-old Guyana native now fighting out of New Jersey, dominated the early and middle rounds, while struggling near the end until his final round resurgence.
'I'm an experienced fighter and I know the last couple of rounds were important,' Alli said.
Murray, 21, was ranked No. 2 by the International Boxing Federation and was in line to battle top-ranked Rafael Pineda next for the vacant IBF title.
But Murray, nicknamed 'The Natural' and fighting before 3,000 hometown fans in the Rochester War Memorial, absorbed an aggressive Alli attack through the early and middle rounds but was unable to get untracked in the late rounds.
Murray drew roars from the crowed as he slammed a combination into Alli's jaw in the 10th round, but Alli never buckled.
'It was just one of those days. I think it was close every round and he pulled it out in the last round,' Murray said.
Alli has lost lightweight title challenges to champions Harry Arroyo in 1985 and Jose Luis Ramirez in 1987.
The bout was televised nationally on CBS Sports.
