Morris back on the road for the English title
Lewis Morris reckons the neighbours will be thinking he is a future champion after he fights on Sunday, writes Matt Bozeat.
Morris pops down the road from his Cannock home to fight Mohammed Wako over six rounds at Bar Sport.
For Morris, it will be his first fight for seven months, since he was outpointed by Liverpool prospect Joe McGrail over eight rounds in Manchester.
Morris, trained by Richie Carter in Wolverhampton, says that result hasn’t dented his confidence. Rather it’s given him belief he can stand toe-to-toe with Britain’s top super-bantamweights.
He said: “I think that’s where I belong.
“I wasn’t out of my depth on the big stage and I’m nowhere near my best yet.
“I’m only 23 years old. I have a long time left in boxing.
“I’m confident I’m up there with the best lads and I want the English title this year.”
That looks set to become vacant in the next few weeks.
Nyall Berry, who also boxes on the show on Sunday, has said he plans to give up the St George’s belt and campaign at bantamweight.
Morris accepts he has to make changes if he wants to win honours.
“I move well,” he said, “but I have to let my hands go a bit more.
“I hit harder than my record shows as well. I want to show people I can punch.”
Wako should give Morris the chance to land his punches.
Morris has studied the York-based Ethiopian and said: “He comes forward and lets his hands go.
“I believe I can get the job done before the final bell.”
Running in the family
Meanwhile, there is another boxer in the Hickman family.
Dean Hickman won Midlands Area super-lightweight honours in his professional career and was at the Brooklands Suite in Bilston to watch his son impress in his latest amateur bout.
Brodie Hickman outpointed Josh Turner (Synwell) over three rounds after handing him a count in the last.
Coach Tony Marshall says the 22-year-old intends to turn professional next year.
Against Turner, Hickman showed good composure, shot selection and a solid chin as well.
He took a couple of hefty rights in the opening two rounds – and then connected with a better one in the last.
Hickman spotted a gap in Turner’s defences and slammed a right off his jaw.
The force of the punch steadied Turner and the referee gave him an ‘eight’ count.
By the time the bout resumed, Turner’s head had cleared and the crowd screamed as they threw everything they had left at each other in the dying seconds.
