Morgan could send rival ‘to Disneyland’

Stevie Ferdinandus has come from Jakarta to Christchurch but Phil Shatford is predicting he will be heading home via Disneyland.

Shatford, who trains and manages New Zealand’s number one ranked welterweight boxer, Bowyn Morgan, is brimming with confidence that his fighter can take Ferdinandus’ IBO Asia Pacific welterweight belt on Friday night.

There was no war of words, as the pair comfortably made weight on Thursday ahead of their bout in Christchurch, but both fighters are supremely confident.

One of them has to be wrong and Shatford is confident it won’t be Morgan.

‘‘He’s come from Jakarta to Christchurch but if Bowyn catches up with him – and I’m sure he will – he’ll be heading home via Disneyland,’’ Shatford said.

Shatford, an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, is a twotime national amateur coach who guided the likes of WBO world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker during his days in the amateur ranks.

‘‘He (Ferdinandus) is a tough challenge but I don’t think he’ll stand up to Bowyn’s relentless pressure.’’

Ferdinandus, who arrived in Christchurch on Tuesday, holds no fears about Morgan – who already holds the IBO Oceania super welterweight and the NZNBF welterweight belts.

The Indonesian boxer, who has a significant experience, height and reach advantage over Morgan, said he is extremely confident he will be victorious.

‘‘He is a good fighter but I’m not worried about him,’’ Ferdinandus said ahead of the bout at Hornby Working Men’s Club.

Ferdinandus scored a unanimous decision over the previously undefeated Cairo George, of Waikato, in Singapore back in May and believes he can pick up another Kiwi scalp.

Morgan, a former Commonwealth Games representative, was disappointed a domestic clash with George could not be made but said a victory over Ferdinandus will go some way to settling the score.

Morgan, who said he was feeling relaxed and ready to go at the weigh in on Thursday, has vowed that the fight will not go the full 10 rounds.

Ferdinandus (66.3kg) and Morgan (66.5kg) made the welterweight limit of 66.6kg.

PHOTO: JOSEPH JOHNSON/STUFF Canterbury boxer Bowyn Morgan squares up against Indonesia’s Stevie Ferdinangus in an Asia-Pacific welterweight fight at the Hornby WMC tonight.