FORMER featherweight rivals Nyall Berry and Lewis Morris have been added to a Sunday afternoon show in Cannock that appears to grow in stature with each day.
The pair who walk different promotional paths – English super-bantam champ Berry is managed by Jon Pegg, Morris is with BCB – will fight six rounders on a good value afternoon bill at the town’s Premier Suite on May 25.
It is a public show that underlines the growing professional strength of Cannock and the surrounding areas.
The flames of a boxing industry in the former coal belt have been fanned by town promoter Scott Murray, who has included local lads on the bank holiday boxing bonanza.
Former Midlands featherweight title challenger Morris is from Walsall. Unbeaten welter Zach Evans is from Cannock.
Also appearing is Birmingham welterweight prospect Oscar “De La Lawyer” McCracken – lawyer by day, fighter by night.
Chelmsley Wood’s Berry and Morris have not always enjoyed a cordial relationship, although bridges have now been built.
They were slated to meet for the Midlands featherweight title and when that bout failed to materialise Berry publicly accused Morris of ducking him.
A lot has happened since then.
Last time out, Berry, aged 25, demolished Lewis Frimpong in three for the English super-bantam title and has announced his desire to drop to bantam.
Morris, 23 and trained by Richard Carter, has featured in a thrilling narrow defeat to Ryan Griffiths for the Midlands featherweight belt and acquitted himself well against Joe McGrail on a major stadium show.
There is a link between the two on next Sunday’s Cannock show.
Nyall will face Tatenda Mangombe – the wildly unorthodox Zimbabwean who gained narrow points victory over Lewis in 2023 – over six rounds.
If Mangombe fights with the same recklessness against big-punching Berry, he will be swiftly separated from his senses.
Berry agrees.
“I’ve taken a look at him,” Nyall said. “Unpredictable, long arms, he looks irritating. If he opens up at close range like that against me, I can’t see it going well for him, if I’m honest.”
Morris, who faces Birmingham’s Waqas Mohammed over six, said: “It’s nice to be on a show so close to home – I actually live on the same road.
“I’m out again pretty soon after at the Hangar (Wolverhampton) on July 4. Two wins and then an English title fight at feather or super-bantam, that’s what I’d like. I want an English title.
He added: “I’m in this game to win things.”
