Morris closing in on Midland title cracker

Lewis Morris…brave and burning with ambition

THERE is a truly mouth-watering Midlands title fight brewing, a potential barnstormer between two unbeaten, top prospects.

Explosive Birmingham feather Nyall Berry let the cat out of the bag at a recent press conference for this week’s Top Boxer tournament.

As an aside, the 23-year-old revealed there is a verbal agreement to face Walsall’s Lewis Morris for the Midlands 9st belt.

That is a massive contest for our region. Massive. Both are unbeaten in five, both are being tipped for big things.

Morris, aged 22, said: “It’s talk at the moment, but I think it will happen. I want to get a couple of six rounders in first, then maybe we’ll meet at the end of the year. It’s a massive fight – we’ve both got similar record, we’re both of a similar age.

“Nyall’s a very good fighter, but I think he’s faced opponents with styles that suit him. He’s aggressive and comes forward.

“I can cause him problems with the way I move and I’m very awkward.”

Morris, a PT instructor by day, has passed all the pro tests to date, winning all his contests on points over the four round distance.

On March 24, at Edgbaston’s H Suite, he’s set to move-up to six round level. Lewis is adamant he’s made for pro boxing’s marathon distances rather than four round sprints. “I love the pro game, it suits me more,” said the Black Country young gun. “I’m good to watch.”

He has a solid amateur background, winning 24 of 30 first for Pleck, then with Richie Carter at Wolverhampton ABC. He has retained trainer Carter’s services in the pro ranks.

And Lewis is a boxer with a heart as big as a bucket. He has returned to the game after a broken shoulder – an injury that would’ve snuffed out the dreams of many.

“I was 14 and boxing in the Midlands final,” he explained. “In the second round, I threw a punch and my shoulder went. I pushed it back in and lost on a split decision.

“That was a painful one. It happened when I was 14 and I didn’t fight again until I was 16.”

With Covid stalling the unpaid game, Lewis decided to turn pro. That currently looks a very wise decision.

At present, the only thing lacking has been KO power. It’s definitely in the locker, Lewis assured me.

“It’s hard against lads who are covering up,” he said. “I spar with older, heavier lads and they say I hit hard. I’m improving all the time and when the man strength comes, you’ll see the best of me.”

Lewis is facing a defining year in the sport – and it looks like being capped with one of the biggest title fights in years.