Lewis: Defeat made me realise I need to stay at featherweight
Lewis Morris with trainer Richie Carter. He’s pledged to return stronger
IN boxing, Cinderella stories are few and far between. Statistics and numbers, particularly surrounding weights, rarely come second best to grit and spirit.
That harsh reality again surfaced in Lewis Morris’ Saturday night bid to claim the Commonwealth silver belt at super-feather.
On Queensberry’s BP Pulse Live arena show, the Walsall boxer was brave and determined, but that was not enough to halt Nelson Birchall’s rise to stardom.
Morecambe’s former outstanding amateur was simply too solid and too powerful. Let’s be honest, 22-year-old Birchall, now unbeaten in 12, appeared to tower over Morris.
The bout was rightly halted by referee John Latham at one minute 12 seconds of the third after Lewis had risen from a heavy right. Perhaps he could’ve continued, but would’ve only shipped more shots. The intervention – Morris’ first inside distance defeat in 17 bouts - was well timed.
The scheduled 10 rounder was always a big ask for immensely likeable Lewis who stepped up from feather – a division in which he drew for the Midlands title. He also took the bout at just over two weeks notice.
He had moments, particularly in the opening session, and can take positives from the setback.
You have to congratulate the boxer for rolling the dice against a young man being groomed for very big things.
And Morris started brightly enough, trading with southpaw Birchall in the first, connecting with straight rights and an eye-catching left hook.
He also fired back defiantly with both fists at the start of the second before Birchall seized the initiative with raking body shots. One particularly vicious right to Morris’ flank registered and the Black Country hope ended the session under heavy pressure.
Birchall continued to target the body in the third, also connecting with uppercuts before closing the show with that chopping right hand.
To his credit, Morris refused to hide behind excuse afterwards, posting: “Last night just wasn’t my night. Took a fight on two-and-a-half weeks notice, it was a huge opportunity for myself.
“I started off really strong, but credit to Birchall- he was a bit too strong. It just shows that I’m definitely a featherweight and that’s my division.
“Got hit with a body shot at the end of the second which has fractured my rib and I didn’t really recover from that. But it’s boxing, we will go again and I’ll be back on the big stages at either super-bantam or featherweight - that’s where you will see the best of me.
“Still young, I’m 24 years of age. Got a long time left in this game. The best is yet to come, believe me.”