The Press

Morgan earns three-fight Duco deal

- Mat Kermeen

Canterbury’s own real life Rocky has three chances to run up the steps of internatio­nal boxing.

Freezing worker Bowyn Morgan has signed a three-fight contract with leading promoters Duco Events.

With Duco behind Kiwi heavyweigh­t prospect Joseph Parker, a worldwide audience of promoters, fans and potential opponents will watch on Saturday night to see the unbeaten Morgan taking on tough Queensland­er Luke Travers over six rounds on the undercard to Parker’s bout with German heavyweigh­t Yakup Saglam in Palmerston North.

The four-time national amateur champion’s two remaining fights with Duco are on Parker undercards in Invercargi­ll and Auckland later this year.

In just his second profession­al fight, Morgan fought on the undercard of Parker’s defeat of American Jason Pettaway at Manukau in March. The 26-yearold beat tough Auckland Ivana Siau in a comfortabl­e points victory.

Morgan’s trainer and manager Phil Shatford wasn’t thrilled with Morgan’s performanc­e, but the 2014 Commonweal­th Games representa­tive’s entertaini­ng style and immense potential was enough to hook Duco.

‘‘Dean Lonergan was absolutely rapt with him, that’s why we got the three-fight contract,’’ Shatford said.

‘‘I think Bowyn tried to tip him over too quickly. He probably didn’t use his jab the way I wanted him to and we’ve been working on that ever since then.’’

Shatford, a decorated national amateur coach who led the New Zealand team in Glasgow last year before turning to the profession­al ranks to train Morgan and talented light heavyweigh­t Reece Papuni, said the goal for Morgan was to improve every fight.

He believes Morgan can be a big player in the profession­al ranks and is confident he will be much improved from his previous fights.

‘‘Bowyn’s got one terrific workrate but he’s not always getting the target so we’ve been concentrat­ing on using his jab to make sure we are hitting it,’’ Shatford said.

Morgan’s last outing was in his home town of Greymouth with a six round shut-out over mixed martial arts fighter Shaun Colmore.

A natural welterweig­ht, Morgan has mostly fought at middleweig­ht just to gain fights in his three profession­al outings so far.

‘‘It’s extremely hard to get Bowyn the right opponents at the moment without giving away weight,’’ Shatford said.

Morgan and Travers will clash at super welterweig­ht and Shatford is hopeful Duco’s backing will help get opponents at welterweig­ht.

Travers has been helping another Duco prospect, Australian welterweig­ht Jeff Horn, prepare for his fight with Richmond Djarbeng which also takes place on Parker’s undercard.

‘‘Travers fought for the Queensland title a month ago and lost in close split decision that could have gone either way,’’ Shatford said.

‘‘There’s a lot of talk over there that he is a very underestim­ated fighter.’’

But Shatford said Morgan is ready for the challenge.

‘‘Bowyn’s as fit as I can get him. He’ll be very tough to beat.’’

 ?? Photo: PHOTOSPORT ?? Bowyn Morgan and Phil Shatford will look to continue their amateur success in the pro ranks tomorrow night.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT Bowyn Morgan and Phil Shatford will look to continue their amateur success in the pro ranks tomorrow night.

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