Morris gives Fells a taste of paid game

Morris covers-up as Fells lets fly. Picture: Manjit Narotra/BCB Promotions

“GOOD to see you’ve not mellowed with age,” a team member for promoters BCB – tongue firmly in cheek – told Josh Morris as he left the ring on Friday night.

Morris had just served as debut opponent for former top amateur Brandon Fells from Plymouth. And those fans who made the 200 mile trek to Dudley Town Hall were treated to 32-year-old Morris’ full repertoire before the Wednesbury southpaw dropped a whitewash 40-36 decision.

He remonstrated with referee Ryan Churchill, he taunted Fells – telling the 20-year-old in the fourth, “you’re not very good” – and offered his forehead to the newcomer for target practice.

Following the final bell, Morris approached me at ringside to give his assessment. “Too amateurish,” he said. “He needs to plant his feet a bit more.”

Undiplomatic, maybe, but Morris, aged 32, had a point. Fells (10st 2lbs) has blistering speed and peeled off blinding combinations, yet could not put a dent in Morris (10st 4lbs). With time, he’ll learn the pro art of punch placement and selection.

Fells has obvious talent and is razor sharp. He can’t be expected to settle into the new code overnight.

He fired stinging double jabs and rights to the body. Morris, gloves cupped round his face, took them all and marched forward. Body and head – the shots kept coming.

Fells uncorked a neat right uppercut in the last, only for Morris to invite him to throw more.

That’s the first bout out of the way for BCB’s new signing. He will have learned pro boxing is a very different game. He will have learned there aren’t opponents like Morris in the amateurs.