Career
Murphy had an amateur record of 157-17, winning the 1979 Light Heavyweight National Golden Gloves and earning a spot on the 1980 United States Olympic team However, as the United States of America boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow due to political reasons, Murphy and the rest of his team were not allowed an Olympic berth. 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.
Lee Roy"s brother, Kenny Murphy, was also a prizefighter and fought Fabrice Tiozzo for the WBA Cruiserweight Title in 1999.