Lewis looking to be a Jailhouse Rocky!

Lewis Morris…set for TV appearance. Pic: MSN Images/BCB Promotions

FEATHERWEIGHT contender Lewis Morris has been handed a demanding assignment – keeping prison inmates in shape.

The boxer has just landed a job as sports teacher at a Midlands prison. It fits his ring career perfectly.

The Walsall 22-year-old said: “It works well because the gym is one of the better ones in UK prisons. On my lunchbreak, I go for a run.”

That’s something inmates can’t do. Not cross-country, anyway.

The new post is one of two big changes in Lewis’ life. Just 12 weeks ago, his partner gave birth to a baby girl.

Morris’ boxing career is also on the up, with his first appearance on a major, televised bill looming.

He and unbeaten Joe McGrail were scheduled to meet on Matchroom’s August 24 show in Manchester. The cancellation of the main event – Jack Catterall and Regis Prograis – has placed that bill in doubt, but Lewis stressed: “I’ll definitely be fighting Joe McGrail next, 100 per cent.”

After that comes the mouthwatering Midlands title return with Dudley’s Ryan Griffiths. The pair uncorked a scintillating scrap in March, with Griffiths taking a close points decision.

That is one of only two losses on Morris’ 10 fight record. The other came over four rounds against Tatenda Mangombe, a Zimbabwean live-wire whose style is more eccentric than unorthodox.

Those setbacks have not dented Lewis’ belief he can reach the top. They have, stressed the Richard Carter trained hope, made him a better boxer.

“Records mean nothing to me,” said Lewis. “Records are for DJs. I know the reasons why I lost the fights, I know what I need to do to win. I’m 22, I’ve got plenty of time.

“Tyler Denny (European middleweight champ) lost two fights early on. I believe I’m going to shock people, I know I can go very far and I believe I can push on.

“I’ve sparred top kids and I’m hitting harder. I was waiting for that man strength to come and it’s coming. I know I hurt Ryan a few times.”

Lewis turned over after winning 24 of 31 bouts in an amateur career stalled for close to three years by a broken shoulder.

As a pro, he peeled off six wins before running into Mangombe.

Lewis was favoured to beat Griffiths for his first title and now burns to put the record straight.

“I’ve got nothing against Ryan, he’s a nice man, but I thought I won the fight,” he said. “I thought I won six or seven rounds and won them pretty clearly. He never had a clear round in that fight, the rounds he won were the close rounds.

“He did shock me, but I didn’t overlook him. I didn’t expect him to be as fit as he was. I don’t see how he can beat me twice, I honestly think next time I’ll walk through him.

“It was my first 10 rounder and I could’ve done it again, I wasn’t even blowing. That was the one thing I was annoyed about – I should’ve worked harder.”

Lewis believes he can be British champion. The setbacks, he insists, have made him stronger – and that’s something he’s eager to show Ryan Griffiths.