MARTIN Murray stayed on course for a third world title shot with a unanimous points win in Monte Carlo tonight.

The 32-year-old St Helens fighter took the decision over Italian Domenico Spada after 1min 19secs of the seventh round, the fight being stopped due to a cut over the Roma man's right eye.

But, with that gash caused by an accidental head-butt from Murray in the third round, the judges came into play and scored victory 67-66, 68-63, 69-67 in the Saints fan's favour as he retained the WBC silver middleweight title.

It was Murray's 29th win from 31 fights against a rough-house opponent eager for his eighth win out of his last nine bouts to put himself in the world-title shop window.

Murray's best work came at range, using his jab to keep some distance away from a pitbull fighter who was at his best close in and while scraping his head across Murray's face.

After a quite opening round of testing the water, the contrasting styles became clear - Murray the tidier and more precise and he landed a left hook that gave Spada an early warning that his opponent meant business.

Spada's best round was probably the third, coming out of the corner fast and catching Murray with a few shots.

But the Italian's desire to get up close backfired when an accidental head-butt from Murray left him with blood pouring from a cut across the brow of his right eye.

Into the fourth round and Murray was in control as he lashed out with two or three straight shots at a time and then used his footwork to get out of the way of any return fire.

Under new WBC rules, the judges' early voting was announced at the end of the fourth round, with Murray ahead according to three three judges from Finland, Germay and USA - although two had it close at 38-37.

The fifth round was scrappy, while the sixth and seventh seemed to be about Murray racking up points and trying to keep himself away from the ropes when Spada attempted to get on the front foot.

Spada's eye worsened with each round and was twice checked by the fight doctor before the call was made to put a stop to any further damage.

The Italian, on the back of only his sixth loss in 45 contests, was clearly unhappy with the judges' decision as he waved his arms in disagreement.

It was probably his last chance to get another big title shot, the one that Murray deserves after his previous tussles with Felix Sturm in Germany and Sergio Martinez in Argentina.