Craig Morris aims high after comfortable points win

The south Shropshire boxer cruised to a routine 40-36 points victory over Haroon Karim in Walsall.

But the 26-year-old welterweight, from Ludlow, is already focusing on bigger bouts moving forward.

The former Midlands champion, who claimed an IBO Continental belt earlier this year, said: “I don’t think there will be anything in January but we’re looking at February next out.

“I’m hoping it’s something decent, either a title fight or an eliminator or something like that.

“Going from fighting Scott Fitzgerald (in a televised fight earlier this year) to a four rounder was a bit if a come down but it was more to keep active for me.

“It was good to get the rounds in and work on my jab. It was a good show and important to keep working in the gym.”

Morris revealed he did not know the name of his opponent Karim heading into the ring for the four-round fight at the BCB Promotions show, due to its last-minute nature. But he was able to bounce back from his previous contest, the stoppage defeat while on top against unbeaten Fitzgerald, televised on an Amir Khan undercard.

“I was scared that I would not get anyone and that it would get pushed on to after Christmas,” added Morris, who is still able to fight to defend his IBO title next year. “I had a couple pull out so it was difficult to get one but I wanted one before Christmas.

“I felt a lot stronger than him, I felt good and sharp.

“It was probably a good learning curve for me to go from 12 rounds down to four. Not so much concentration-wise but a good way of controlling myself and working on my jab.”

Morris has been in his training camp in Wednesbury, West Midlands, for much of 2018 and will have a short break over the festive period before he hopes for bigger and brighter contests in the new year.

After four fights in 2018, the southpaw – who has 11 wins from his 14 pro bouts – said he was happy to flit between welter and middle weights as he targets success next year.

“To be honest I’m open to anything, I’m not really bothered, it’s harder for me to get to welter but I’m bigger in it.

“It’s probably my favourite as I’ve won titles at it but I’m open to middleweight.”

Morris added a note of gratitude to his sponsors who support his professional career.

“I’d like to thank Matei, JRS Constrictions, Worm Dangling Adventures, Sigma and all of my other sponsors,” he said.