MARTIN Murray supporters are waking up with emotions of pride, disappointment and anger after the St Helens boxer was defeated in controversial circumstances in Argentina.

Hundreds stayed up through the early hours, watching the fight on television sets in bars and living rooms across St Helens, to witness Murray, 30, lose to champion Sergio Martinez in Argentina.

That was despite the Fingerpost ace twice flooring the 38-year-old veteran, although the second ‘knock down’ was controversially declared a slip by the referee.

The three judges scored it 115-112 in Martinez’s favour - inflicting Murray’s first ever professional defeat - and it sparked anger among supporters back in St Helens, who felt their hero had been “robbed”.

Meanwhile, Murray’s promoter Ricky Hatton, who was ringside in Buenos Aires, said he struggled to understand how the judges could reach the outcome.

He wrote: “Thought I knew boxing but I am baffled by the result?”

Hatton later added that Team Murray “thought they had been done up like kippers”.

Many others from St Helens turned to Twitter to express their disappointment.

Paul Wellens, the Saints rugby league captain, wrote: “Martin Murray has been the victim of his own courage...Into the backyard of two champs and only a KO would see him win.”

Saints fan Darren Lilly added: “I’ve never seen such a terrible hometown decision - since ironically Martin fought (Felix) Sturm.”

Johnny Vegas, the comedian and actor, wrote: “Climb the ropes all you want (Martinez). Outboxed, outclassed. Murray was faultless. Amazing example.”

Chris Lamb, from Moss Bank, wrote: “Martin Murray you was robbed tonight mate. You are the champion pure and simple.”

Despite the result, the performance drew praise from across the boxing world.

Lennox Lewis, the former world heavyweight champion, wrote: “Martin Murray - great fight. Solid plan executed well. Nothing to hold your head down for. You prove ur top class against a great.”

Meanwhile, Mike Critchley, the Star’s sports editor, who was live blogging on last night’s fight, wrote: “What a superbly clinical, composed and brave performance from Martin Murray.

“Murray was hand-picked by the Argentinian to provide easy cannon fodder - but he rocked the champ with some clean scoring punches.

“The ticker tape was very nearly being packed away.

“Murray had the tactics spot-on, making it physical from the third round onwards to get in the face of Martinez.

“You could see Martinez was rattled - he spent so much time whinging and trying to use his kiddology to influence the ref.

“Murray twice floored the champion, the second harshly being judged as a slip.”

The bout, fought out in the cauldron like atmosphere of Atlético Vélez Sarsfield football stadium, had to be brought forward due to the torrential rain which caused some safety concerns.