RECENTLY, from a distance I watched Lewis Morris working in a gym with troubled kids.
Well above his fighting weight, heavily bearded, eyes hooded, high cheekbones sharp enough to slice and a nose more broken than promises, he looked every inch an old school fighter.
He had the appearance of a heavy in Brando classic “On The Waterfront”, if not the stature.
Those who didn’t know Lewis’ profession would correctly guess it.
The fresh-faced Walsall feather who made his debut in 2021 after facing real iron in the amateur ranks is no more. Morris, after 14 fights, arena appearances, 10 rounders, and title tussles, can legitimately be called a Black Country warrior.
He now looks the part. He’s twice been to the well with local rival Ryan Griffiths – a fine fighter – with the Midland belt on the line.
Make no mistake, Lewis has fought in the trenches and kicked hard with mud on his boots.
He’s a handful, although I can’t yet go along with his Wolverhampton gym’s claims that Morris possesses concussive power. He’s stopped only one opponent and to earn that description you’ve got to endorse that description.
What Morris is, is a very tough individual with an excellent engine and sturdy chin.
Knowing what he is, I’m surprised those backing Manchester’s unbeaten Alfie Middlemiss have matched him against Morris over eight rounds on Matchroom’s major show at Planet Ice, Altrincham, on April 3.
On the same bill, Wolverhampton’s former Midlands champ Jermaine Osbourne-Edwards, from the same gym, faces big-hitting William Crolla.
I don’t really understand why Middlemiss’ people have rolled the dice when they didn’t need to.
Perhaps they know something I don’t, but pitching Middlemiss, who has won five undemanding contest – all on points, against someone who has been there and worn the t-shirt doesn’t seem a sound business plan this early on.
Having said that, really good fighters are given a time to shine and Morris has been selected for that sunshine moment. Honestly, I think Middlemiss’ backers have got it wrong.
You can talk about speed and power, but, in boxing, experience is gold dust – you can’t bluff it, buy it or steal it. Morris has been to the well, Middlemiss hasn’t.
I fancy Morris to win this. I’d be even more convinced of an upset victory if the bout was over 10 rounds, but the statistics favour Lewis: three times as many fights, 10 round experience, higher level contests…
I’m left wondering if those behind 22-year-old Middlemiss have done their homework.
“I think it’s a really tough fight for him,” Morris said. “I think they made a mistake. I’ve looked at the things he does well and think I do them better. I’m not underestimating him, but this is my chance.
“I honestly think they haven’t looked at me.”
It’s a chance rarely given to West Midlands fighters. Let’s be honest – 90 per cent of the time local fighters are booked on major televised bills to lose.
Morris has been handed a winnable fight: some pundits have called it 50-50, I think it’s 60-40 for the Black Country lad.
If he wins, title fights are available. If he loses fairly, he’s blown one of the biggest opportunities of his career and can have no excuses.
That’s the tightrope professional boxers walk.
