Lewis Morris reckons living the life will pay dividends when he begins his professional boxing journey this weekend.
He features when it’s show-time in the Stadium Suite at Walsall FC’s the Banks’s Stadium, on the Sunday afternoon of September 26.
The 19-year-old, from nearby Bloxwich, is raring to go after a tough training camp, spent under the tutelage of Richie Carter’s Pro Boxing Stable at Wolverhampton Boxing Club. Morris is rarely away from a fitness setting, spending his days working as a personal trainer at Thrive Training Club & Bootcamp in Aldridge.
His introduction to the pro ranks comes after a solid amateur grounding, spent representing Pleck Boxing Club and later Wolverhampton BC.
He posted an amateur record of 24 wins from 31 unpaid bouts, picking up area honours twice in the England Junior Championships.
After a troublesome shoulder problem, he returned to compete at youth and senior level, before making the decision to turn pro.
A new beginning takes shape close to home with his debut, where Morris hopes to lure his opponent into a false sense of security.
He said: “I’ll be buzzing to get in there, I know there will be a big crowd and I’m the local boy, but I’ll be quite calm. That’s good for me, because I box better when I relax.
“I’ve been training twice a day, getting up at 5am every morning for a run, then in the gym all day and at the boxing club after work.
“Rich (Carter) pushes us all very hard and always gets that last extra bit out of me. He knows what it takes – he’s been there and done it.
“My job suits my lifestyle and it keeps me motivated, because I have to set an example (as a PT) to my clients. When I have free time there, I go on the treadmill and do weights.
“So it’s gym life and boxing life, for me, and I’ve been a PT for a couple of years now. The boxing, obviously, goes much further back.“I can see myself at featherweight, long term, the same as I was in the amateurs. I had a good record there, but some bad luck as well.
“I won two area titles, in the England Junior Championships, and lost the Midlands final for a third, on a split decision (points). I had one hand for the last round!
“I was up against a lad called Lewis Proffitt (from South Staffs Boxing Club) and I’d won the first two rounds, then my shoulder just went. Turned out it was broken.
“It was a nasty injury, bad enough to keep me out for 28 months, so I had a long time away. By the time I came back, I was too old for the juniors.
“I got to another area final, in the England Youth Championships, and lost on another split to Scott Melvin (Eastside BC, Birmingham). To be fair, he’s a good fighter.
“I had one bout as a senior, I won unanimously (points) and it was a good performance. I liked it without the headguard, I didn’t get hit and my opponent felt my shots more.
“I can hit hard, for my weight, and I can evade shots that come my way. I’m a decent counter puncher. Hopefully, with the hard work I put in, that will take me somewhere. I feel ready.”
Four other fights feature on the show, which is sponsored by Principle Partners Alliance Scaffolding, Jobsworth Recruitment and GPW Consulting.
Birmingham’s boxing fan with a license, the ever popular Kane Baker, is action alongside Walsall’s two-weight Midlands Area Champion, James Beech Jr.
Two other debutants complete the card with Worcester’s Ameen Khalid and Italian born Wolverhampton Native Traian Tudosache making their pro bows alongside Morris
Tickets for the Stadium Suite bill are on sale, priced at £40 standard or £75 VIP ringside with buffet, and can be purchased by calling the Boxers, emailing ticketing@bcb-promotions.com or by visiting MyFightTickets.com.
