Dad-to-be Morris is looking for a nappy title night at Hangar
Lewis Morris (right) battles for the Midlands featherweight title
LEWIS Morris is about to become a dad for the first time and impending parental responsibilities are an extra motivation as he faces Ryan Griffiths for the vacant Midlands featherweight title, writes PAUL WEBB.
The pair clash on BCB Promotions’ ‘Havoc at the Hangar VIII’ show in Wolverhampton this Friday.
Morris trains out of Richie Carter’s gym in the city and has won eight of his nine fights, with his only blemish being a four-round point loss to the tricky Tatenda Mangombe.
That loss sparked a positive reaction from the Bloxwich man, who has won two fights on the bounce since that defeat last June.
A three-round stoppage win against Ricky Starkey in September was impressive and he showed more of his boxing ability in December with a six-round shutout of 100-fight veteran Luke Fash.
“It was a good one,” said Morris. “Fash is a strong guy. I was hitting his head with big shots and it was tough. The last couple of rounds, I just sat behind the jab and showed how good a boxer I am. I have great footwork and hand speed and I got to show it that night.”
It was the second time Morris has completed the six-round mark and he feels the 10 round championship distance won’t be a problem.
“I can’t wait to get in there now,” the 22-year-old said. “I think the 10 round distance will suit me and it has come at the right time. I don’t feel like the pressure is on me, I’m confident. We are both going to bring a crowd - he sells tickets, I sell tickets so it won’t feel like I’m the home fighter, even though it’s a venue I have boxed at several times.”
Griffiths is unbeaten in four and will be stepping down two weight divisions for this fight—no easy feat, and something Morris knows could be a factor.
“He is only boxed at lightweight and above, so he might struggle with the weight. However, I have to train thinking he will make it easy, but the advantage will be with me. I’ve made featherweight multiple times now and it will be new for him.
“I know that belt is coming back with me. When I win it, I want to make a quick defence or push on to an English title. Boxing in Wolves is going up and up and in the Midlands, in general, especially in our gym. Myself and Jimmy (Jermaine Osbourne-Edwards) are both in title fights on the same night and we both want bigger things after this one.”
Tickets for Havoc At the Hangar VIII are available now priced at £40 standard and £75 VIP from the boxers directly or by emailing info@bcb-promotions.com.
*Image MSN Images/BCB Promotions