Much bigger things await Walsall’s Lewis

Lewis Morris…zeroing in on a Midlands title fight

MUCH bigger things surely await stylish Lewis Morris after he moved to six round class on Friday night.

On BCB’s H Suite, Edgbaston, show, the Walsall box-fighter took every round – 60-54 – against one of the game’s true survivors, Liam Richards.

That was the 21-year-old’s sixth straight win. Richards – a man who appears to fight every week – has won 12 of 96.

But the Wiltshire 36-year-old is near impossible to floor. He knows every trick in the book.

The trick for boxers such as Morris is to realise that, not get frustrated by the spoiling tactics and pile-up points while looking good doing it.

Morris did that.

He’s a feather, while Richards campaigns around lightweight. Yet Morris showed maturity to prevent the journeyman leaning on him and using his extra bulk. He’s being moulded nicely by respected Wolverhampton trainer Richie Carter.

There’s a lot to like about Lewis – he’s pleasing on the eye and should fight for a Midlands title this year.

Hopefully, that will be against Chelmsley Wood’s heavy hitting Nyall Berry, a mouth-watering encounter for local fans.

Today, Morris told me: “I was buzzing about it (my performance). I thought I boxed really smart.

“What I’d like next is another six or eight rounder. I’d like to fight for the Midlands title this year. I want it, Nyall wants it, so it should happen. But I need another six rounder first.

“I know he hits hard, everyone knows that. It will be (about) my boxing, but I don’t want to talk about anything yet.”

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

He said: “I love the pro game, it suits me more. I’m good to watch.”

He had 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.”

As a footnote, Morris indulged in a post fight chorus of Sweet Caroline with his fans.

I’ll simply say he’s a better boxer than singer.

Jarrett Doherty….next stop is a Midlands title fight

 Birmingham’s Jarrett Doherty notched-up his fourth professional victory on the show, outpointing 41-fight veteran Vasif Mamedov over four.

The 33-year-old had his Azerbaijani opponent down in the third round after he landed a straight right hand that took Mamedov off his feet.

But the Bordesley Green man could not force a maiden professional stoppage despite his best efforts and instead settled for a dominant points win.

It was 60-53 on referee Kev Parker’s scorecard with Ryan Churchil the trainee referee in the ring.

Super middle Doherty has made no secret of his ambition for titles and has his sights set on securing a shot at the Midlands belt next.