Marcus Morrison will fight for his first pro title on Saturday night as he faces Jefferson Luiz De Souza for the vacant WBC International Middleweight crown at the Manchester Arena, live on Sky Sports.
Morrison kicked off 2016 with two first round KO wins to further demonstrate his destructive power and ‘Sweet M’nM’ will look to prove that he can take the power from Super-Welterweight to Middleweight as he welcomes the Brazilian to home turf.
Morrison’s trainer Joe Gallagher has tipped the 23 year old to kick on and become a real force over the next 18 months, and the man himself is ready to underline his potential by getting a major strap around his waist in just his 11th pro fight on the undercard of gym-mate Anthony Crolla’s WBA World Lightweight title defence against Ismael Barroso.
“I am delighted to be fighting for my first title in Manchester,” said Morrison. “I was a big Super-Welterweight so I have no doubt that my power will still be too much for my opponents at 160lbs.
“I was happy with both of my performances so far this year. They were both early nights and I think now it is time I got some rounds in and moved up.
“There is no reason why I can’t be in the mix at English level and I think in the next 12 to 18 months there is no reason why I won’t be in contention for the British titles as well.
“Saturday is a huge night for my gym mate Anthony Crolla. When you hear about fighters becoming a World champion they always say it is harder to stay at the top because you are gunned for but I think this Anthony is a genuine World champion and I think he will be there for a long time. He has prepared well, here has studied Barroso, and I think the game plan will come off and come Sunday morning he will still have his belt.”
Morrison’s first title fight comes on a huge night of action in Manchester, topped by Crolla’s clash with the dangerous Venezuelan banger Barroso.
There’s a classic Roses battle as Lancashire’s Shayne Singleton takes on Leeds’ Adil Anwar for the WBC Silver Welterweight title, while two former World title challengers Paul Smith and Martin Murray plot their assaults on the Super-Middleweight belt holders.
It’s a busy night for Gallagher as Callum Johnson and Hosea Burton join Crolla and Morrison in action, there’s a return to the ring for popular Hull Lightweight Tommy Coyle, while there’s action for former Team GB star Warren Baister, Dublin’s Jono Carroll, Prestwich’s Sean Ben Mulligan and Sale’s Ben Sheedy.
Tickets are on general sale £40, £60, £80 and £100 www.manchester-arena.com or by calling 0844 847 8000. VIPs are available exclusively through www.matchroomboxing.com priced at £200.
Tickets for May 7 are also available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ – StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua MBE.
