Morris ‘gutted’ as TV fight suffers late KO

Lewis Morris…his Nottingham battle is off. Pic: Manjit Narotra/BCB

LEWIS Morris has suffered the devastating blow of seeing a slot on Saturday’s big Nottingham Arena title bill scuppered only days before the bout.

The feather was set to share the spotlight with Nico Leivars over six rounds on a huge Matchroom card topped by BCB stablemate Conah Walker’s British welterweight title bid.

But his team informed me today (Thursday) that Mansfield’s Leivars had pulled out. At the time of writing this the reason is unknown, but the short notice suggest a medical issue.

You have to feel for Walsall’s Morris and his team. That’s a lot of gym graft down the pan, that’s a big opportunity lost, that’s a lot of sacrifices for nothing.

What’s more, the 23-year-old really fancied his chances against former top amateur Leivars who, as a pro, had drawn one of seven and been inactive for 10 months.

Leivars must also be crestfallen.

Lewis’ trainer Richard Carter told me: “Lewis is absolutely gutted. He was proper on it for this one.”

On social media, Morris posted: “Can’t believe I’m posting this, but my fight on Saturday night has been cancelled as my opponent has pulled out. I was 100 per cent ready for this and truly believe it was going to be my night.

“But these things happen, especially in boxing. Due to this I won’t be on the show this weekend in Nottingham.

“Thank you all for your support. I’ll be back very soon on the big stage, just waiting on a date again now.”

Andy Owen, one of the Wolverhampton Boxing Club team, said: “Gutted for Lewis – he was on fire in the gym.”

Lewis is right. Unfortunately, such short notice disappointments are part and parcel of the sport. That doesn’t make them any easier to take, however.