{{Short description|American boxer (born 1958)}} {{Infobox boxer |name=Lee Roy Murphy |realname=Lee Roy Murphy |nickname=Solid Gold |weight={{plainlist| *Cruiserweight *Heavyweight}} |height=5 ft 11 in |reach= |nationality= American |birth_date={{Birth date and age|1958|07|16|mf=y}} |birth_place=Chicago, Illinois, USA |style=Orthodox |total=34 |wins=30 |KO=23 |losses=4 |draws=0 |no contests=0 }}
'''Lee Roy Murphy''' (born July 16, 1958) is a retired American professional boxer. He held the IBF cruiserweight title from 1984 to 1986.
==Amateur career== Murphy represented Chicago at three consecutive Intercity Golden Gloves dispatching his rivals with first-round knockouts in 1977 and 1978,<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/483592221/ Big Apple and the Windy City Glovers clash] by Jack Smith, ''Daily News from New York'', April 24, 1979, p. 56.</ref><ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/483591077/ N.Y. kayos Chi 4th time in row] by Jack Smith, ''Daily News from New York'', April 24, 1979, p. 56.</ref> and 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 due to political reasons, Murphy and the rest of his team were not granted Olympic berths. Murphy did, however, receive one of 461 Congressional Gold Medals created specifically for the boycotted athletes.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Caroccioli|first1=Tom|last2=Caroccioli|first2=Jerry|title=Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games|year=2008|publisher=New Chapter Press|location=Highland Park, IL|isbn=978-0942257403|pages=243–253}}</ref> Instead the U.S. team dispatched to West Germany for a match-up with the West German national team,<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/77539915/ Five Olympic boxers to fight in German meet] (AP,) ''The Decatur Herald'', June 26, 1980, p. 12.</ref> and then to Kenya, to compete in the inaugural Gold Cup international boxing tournament funded partially by the U.S. State Department, for the benefit of countries which boycotted the Summer Olympics.<ref name="PacificStars">[https://newspaperarchive.com/pacific-stars-and-stripes-sep-15-1980-p-21/ Sports], ''Pacific Stars And Stripes'', September 15, 1980, p. 21.</ref> He is now 64 years old, living with his wife Barbara and his daughter Ariel Murphy with his grandchildren Matthew Townsend, Brooklyn Lewis, and Eloni Lewis.
Leeroy Murphy was inducted into the Hall of Fame in Los Angeles, California in May 2022.
===Highlights=== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} {{gold1}} Chicago Golden Gloves (165 lbs), International Amphitheatre, Chicago, Illinois, March 1976: * (no data available) USA–USSR Duals (165 lbs), Las Vegas, Nevada, January 1977: *Lost to Gennadiy Tolmachyov (Soviet Union) by decision National Golden Gloves (165 lbs), Honolulu, Hawaii, March 1977: *1/4: Lost to Keith Broom by decision {{gold1}} Chicago Golden Gloves (165 lbs), International Amphitheatre, Chicago, Illinois, March 1977: *Finals: Defeated Mark Scully by unanimous decision, 5–0 {{gold1}} 35th Intercity Golden Gloves (165 lbs), Madison Square Garden, New York City, April 1977: *Defeated Paul Christiani KO 1 AAU National Championships (178 lbs), Ohio State Fair, Columbus, Ohio, August 1977: *Finals: Lost to Mark Frazie by decision {{small|(Murphy knocked down once)}} USA–Romania Duals (178 lbs), Milwaukee, Wisconsin, January 1978: *Lost to Constantin Dafinoiu (Romania) by decision National Golden Gloves (178 lbs), Albuquerque, New Mexico, March 1978: *1/16: Defeated Dennis Stanley KO 2 *1/8: Defeated Sonny Westbrook RSC 1 *1/4: Defeated Ron Brown by decision *1/2: Lost to Charles Singleton by decision {{gold1}} Chicago Golden Gloves (178 lbs), International Amphitheatre, Chicago, Illinois, April 1978: *Finals: Defeated Willie Phillips {{gold1}} 36th Intercity Golden Gloves (178 lbs), Chicago, Illinois, April 1978: *Defeated Ron Huston KO 1 {{silver2}} Chemistry Cup (178 lbs), Halle, East Germany, June 1978: *Finals: Lost to Michael Seefeldt (East Germany) RSC 1 National Sports Festival (178 lbs), Fort Carson, Colorado, July 1978: *1/2: Lost to Elmer Martin by decision {{col-2}} USA–USSR Duals (178 lbs), Troy, New York, February 1979: *Lost to Nikolay Yerofeyev (Soviet Union) by decision USA–Poland Duals (178 lbs), Milwaukee, Wisconsin, February 1979: *Defeated Jacek Kucharczyk (Poland) by split decision, 2–1 {{gold1}} National Golden Gloves (178 lbs), Indianapolis, Indiana, March 1979: *1/2: Defeated Steve Adams RSC 1 *Finals: Defeated Alvino Manson KO 1 {{gold1}} 37th Intercity Golden Gloves (178 lbs), Madison Square Garden, New York City, April 1979: *Defeated Porfirio Llanes RSC 1 {{small|(2:30)}} Pan Am Trials (178 lbs), Toledo, Ohio, May 1979: *1/2: Lost to Andre McCoy by split decision, 2–3 USSR–USA Duals (178 lbs), Moscow, Soviet Union, January 1980: *Defeated Nikolay Yerofeyev (Soviet Union) by split decision, 2–1 National Golden Gloves (178 lbs), Hirsch Memorial Coliseum, Shreveport, Louisiana, March 1980: *1/8: Defeated Thomas Landry by split decision, 3–2 *1/4: Defeated Jay Strickland by decision *1/2: Lost to Bernard Benton by decision Olympic Trials (178 lbs), Atlanta, Georgia, June 1980: *1/4: Defeated Bluford Spencer RSC 3 {{small|(2:14)}} *1/2: Defeated Steve Eden by unanimous decision, 5–0 *Finals: Defeated Elmer Martin KO 1 {{small|(0:56)}} FRG–USA Duals, West Berlin, West Germany, July 1980: *Defeated Kurt Seiler (West Germany) by decision {{gold1}} Gold Cup (178 lbs), Nairobi, Kenya, September 1980: *Finals: Defeated Danny Jackson (Puerto Rico) by decision {{col-end}} He finished his amateur career having 162 victories to his credit.<ref name="PacificStars" />
==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 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 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, was also a prizefighter and fought Fabrice Tiozzo for the WBA Cruiserweight Title in 1999. He won four Intercity Golden Gloves' championships in 1977 at 165 lb. and in 1978 through 1980 at 178 lb. He married Barbara Murphy and they had their only daughter, Ariel Murphy. Now, in his older age, he is retired from CTA.
==Professional boxing record==
{{BoxingRecordSummary |draws= |nc= |ko-wins=23 |ko-losses=2 |dec-wins=7 |dec-losses=2 |dq-wins= |dq-losses= }} {|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%" |- !{{abbr|No.|Number}} !Result !Record !Opponent !Type !Round, time !Date !Location !Notes |- |34 |{{yes2}}Win |30–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Kimmuel Odum |UD |6 |07/08/1998 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |align=left| |- |33 |{{yes2}}Win |29–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Jerry Brown |TKO |4 |26/06/1998 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Alumni Hall, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |align=left|{{small|Referee stopped the bout at 2:40 of the fourth round.}} |- |32 |{{no2}}Loss |28–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Mike Evans |UD |12 |02/03/1991 |align=left|{{flagicon|GBR}} Dolphin Centre, Darlington, England |align=left|{{small|'''IBF Intercontinental Heavyweight Title'''.}} |- |31 |{{yes2}}Win |28–3 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Terry Armstrong |UD |10 |12/09/1990 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Gateway Theatre, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |align=left| |- |30 |{{no2}}Loss |27–3 |align=left|{{flagicon|South Africa|1928}} Johnny du Plooy |PTS |10 |09/06/1990 |align=left|{{flagicon|Bophuthatswana}} Sun City, South Africa |align=left| |- |29 |{{yes2}}Win |27–2 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Alfonso Ratliff |KO |4 |26/06/1989 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Odeum Expo Center, Villa Park, Illinois, U.S. |align=left|{{small|'''Illinois Heavyweight Title'''.}} |- |28 |{{no2}}Loss |26–2 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Dwight Muhammad Qawi |TKO |6 |15/08/1987 |align=left|{{flagicon|FRA}} Saint-Tropez, France |align=left| |- |27 |{{yes2}}Win |26–1 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Bobby Crabtree |UD |10 |28/04/1987 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |align=left| |- |26 |{{yes2}}Win |25–1 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Steve Mormino |PTS |8 |27/03/1987 |align=left|{{flagicon|ITA}} Viareggio, Italy |align=left| |- |25 |{{no2}}Loss |24–1 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Rickey Parkey |TKO |10 |25/10/1986 |align=left|{{flagicon|ITA}} Marsala, Italy |align=left|{{small|Lost IBF cruiserweight title}} |- |24 |{{yes2}}Win |24–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Dorcy Gaymon |KO |9 |19/04/1986 |align=left|{{flagicon|ITA}} Sanremo Casino, Sanremo, Italy |align=left|{{small|Retained IBF cruiserweight title}} |- |23 |{{yes2}}Win |23–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|ZAM}} Chisanda Mutti |KO |12 |19/10/1985 |align=left|{{flagicon|MON}} Stade Louis II, Monte Carlo, Monaco |align=left|{{small|Retained IBF cruiserweight title}} |- |22 |{{yes2}}Win |22–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Eddie Taylor |TKO |12 |20/12/1984 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |align=left|{{small|Retained IBF cruiserweight title}} |- |21 |{{yes2}}Win |21–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Marvin Camel |TKO |14 |06/10/1984 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} MetraPark Arena, Billings, Montana, U.S. |align=left|{{small|Won IBF cruiserweight title}} |- |20 |{{yes2}}Win |20–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Darnell Hayes |KO |2 |15/03/1984 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |- |19 |{{yes2}}Win |19–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Steve Zouski |UD |10 |20/12/1983 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |align=left| |- |18 |{{yes2}}Win |18–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Ralph Cuomo |TKO |1 |02/12/1983 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Shirley, New York, U.S. |align=left| |- |17 |{{yes2}}Win |17–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Willie Crawford |TKO |1 |07/11/1983 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |align=left| |- |16 |{{yes2}}Win |16–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Frank Payne |UD |10 |18/10/1983 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. |align=left| |- |15 |{{yes2}}Win |15–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Keith Allen |TKO |6 |05/10/1983 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |align=left|{{small|Referee stopped the bout at 0:39 of the sixth round.}} |- |14 |{{yes2}}Win |14–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Ivy Brown |KO |1 |07/08/1983 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Paradise, Nevada, U.S. |align=left|{{small|Brown knocked out at 2:13 of the first round.}} |- |13 |{{yes2}}Win |13–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Rahim Muhammad |KO |9 |22/05/1983 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |align=left| |- |12 |{{yes2}}Win |12–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Charles Allen |KO |4 |07/02/1983 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |align=left|{{small|Allen knocked out at 1:25 of the first round.}} |- |11 |{{yes2}}Win |11–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Terry Denny |KO |3 |19/07/1982 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |align=left|{{small|Denny knocked out at 1:28 of the third round.}} |- |10 |{{yes2}}Win |10–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Eddie Smith |KO |4 |19/03/1982 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |align=left|{{small|Smith knocked out at 2:09 of the fourth round.}} |- |9 |{{yes2}}Win |9–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Charles Presswood |KO |1 |05/02/1982 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Civic Center, Danville, Illinois, U.S. |align=left|{{small|Presswood knocked out at 2:39 of the first round.}} |- |8 |{{yes2}}Win |8–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Frank Diaper |TKO |2 |22/01/1982 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |align=left|{{small|Referee stopped the bout at 2:43 of the second round.}} |- |7 |{{yes2}}Win |7–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Elvis Parks |PTS |6 |03/10/1981 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Rosemont Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois, U.S. |align=left|{{small|Parks down twice in the sixth round.}} |- |6 |{{yes2}}Win |6–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} John Trollinger |KO |1 |27/07/1981 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |align=left|{{small|Trollinger knocked out at 0:35 of the first round.}} |- |5 |{{yes2}}Win |5–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Darnell Hayes |K0 |2 |05/06/1981 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |align=left|{{small|Hayes knocked out at 2:01 of the second round.}} |- |4 |{{yes2}}Win |4–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Reggie Walker |TKO |2 |16/04/1981 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |align=left|{{small|Referee stopped the bout at 2:25 of the second round.}} |- |3 |{{yes2}}Win |3–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Floyd Cross |KO |3 |09/03/1981 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |align=left|{{small|Cross down three times in the first round and knocked out at 2:53 of the third round.}} |- |2 |{{yes2}}Win |2–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|CAN}} Gary Hunter |KO |1 |11/12/1980 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |align=left|{{small|Hunter knocked out at 1:34 of the first round.}} |- |1 |{{yes2}}Win |1–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Roger Moore |KO |2 |13/11/1980 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |align=left|{{small|Moore knocked out at 1:22 of the second round.}} |}
==See also== *List of world cruiserweight boxing champions
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Boxrec|id=8857}}
{{s-start}} {{s-sports}} {{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Amateur boxing titles}} {{s-before|before=Charles Singleton}} {{s-ttl|title=Golden Gloves<br>light heavyweight champion |years=1979}} {{s-after|after=Steve Eden}} {{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Regional boxing titles}} {{s-break}} {{s-bef|before=Alfonso Ratliff}} {{s-ttl|title=Illinois State Heavy title |years=June 26, 1989 – 1990<br>Vacated}} {{s-vac|next=Ed Krasnici}} {{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=World boxing titles}} {{s-break}} {{s-bef|before=Marvin Camel}} {{s-ttl|title=IBF cruiserweight champion |years=October 6, 1984 - October 25, 1986}} {{s-aft|after=Rickey Parkey}} {{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Murphy, Lee Roy}} Category:1958 births Category:Living people Category:American male boxers Category:African-American boxers Category:Boxers from Chicago Category:Heavyweight boxers Category:World cruiserweight boxing champions Category:International Boxing Federation champions Category:National Golden Gloves champions Category:Congressional Gold Medal recipients Category:20th-century American sportsmen