Shaun Morton insists he won’t make the same mistakes twice as he re-enters the ring determined to pick up the win this time.
He goes again at the Park Inn Hotel, in Northampton town centre (Silver Street), when BCB Promotions host their next show there, on Friday June 2.
Morton made his pro debut, under the same lights, in February, but could only manage a draw with Josh Cook, the two battling to a points stalemate.
Their contest was scored 38-38, with the pair swapping leather as they looked to become a decisive victor. In the end, both had their hands raised.
The 22-year-old middleweight had to shed a significant amount of weight to turn over and felt it, on fight night, but now has a nutritionist, Jack Coak, supporting him.
Morton is coached by Driton Muhaxheri, with Spencer McCracken Snr managing him, and debuted after a three-year absence from the sport.
His amateur career was spent with Kettering Boxing Club, amassing 25 bouts, with 17 wins among them, after undertaking his first fight at the age of 15.
The mechanic, who works at Jaguar Land Rover in Northampton, was born in Luton, but lives in Brixworth. He grew up in Rothwell and went to Corby’s Brooke Weston Academy.
Morton said: “I got back in the gym, after my last fight, and I’ve gone at it hard. It’s been a bit easier, now I’ve shaken the cobwebs off, by getting back to boxing.
“I’ve got a nutritionist (Jack Coak) on board now, so I’m eating properly, cutting weight properly and not feeling so drained. I went through a lot to make my debut.
“I lost just under 3st in eight weeks and it wasn’t a pleasant experience, put it that way. I’d also injured both of my hands, during my training camp.
“I hurt my left hand on the pads, I threw a hook and a shooting pain went up my arm. After that, I started to get pins and needles.
“Then I did my right hand, in sparring. I caught my opponent on the top of his head and strained some tendons and ligaments. All that could heal them was rest, which I couldn’t do.
“But it was now or never for me, so I carried on and made it to my debut. I felt alright, in terms of nerves, leading up to it and even during the walk-out.
“It only really hit me when my t-shirt came off, which doesn’t happen when you’re an amateur, as they box in vests. That was the first foreign thing about it.
“After the bell went, it was all a bit of a blur. I was too aggressive and rushed a lot of my work. That made me waste energy, but the adrenalin kept me going.
“I got caught with a few pot-shots, but I wasn’t worried, because I’ve always been able to take a whack. That’s what happens when you jump in at the deep end.
“I wasn’t happy with my performance and the result amplified everything. It really felt like a loss, so something has to change and I’m confident that it will.
“This is almost like a second debut, for me, and I’m planning to be a lot more fluid this time. I’ll be setting my shots up, using my jab and keeping my head moving.”
Tickets for the Park Inn bill are available, priced at £40 for unreserved seating or £75 VIP ringside with buffet, directly from the boxers or by visiting myfighttickets.com.
