Jamal Morrison out to remind fans that he's a prospect
Boxing people have such short memories. Only two years ago, 27-year-old Jamal Morrison (5-1-2) was a highly regraded prospect, who many in the trade believed would go on to championship honours. Now, on March 26th in Dagenham on the Small-Webb undercard, he faces off with a man who many are labelling as the 'new Joe Calzaghe', Welsh light-middle Tom Doran.
Most will expect Doran to defeat his London based opponent, but those of us who study the game will think 'My god, do you remember how good you were saying this guy was,he isn't just Doran fodder you know?' That's what makes it so fascinating and why it is one of the most eagerly anticipated undercard battles we have had this year.
Jamal Morrison was a late starter to the industry. While most youngsters are thrust into the sport by the age of nine, Morrison had other things on his mind.
“Growing up, football was always my sport of choice, but I always had an interest in boxing, probably more so than football. I used to love watching the big ITV fights in the early Nineties, with Benn, Eubank and Prince Naseem. I didn't try it out myself until I went to the Allstars gym in West London in 1999. It's been a big part of my life ever since.”
By then he was 17 and as with anyone who starts up late, you have the obvious problem by the time you start fighting properly in the amateurs.
“I entered my first ABA's after only five fights and I won the North-West London divisions, that was a big achievement for me at the time. But it meant fighting guys with 50, 60 and 70 fights after that. I did got to America with Fisher ABC which was a nice experience.”
Still, by the time he turned over in 2005 he had gained enough of a reputation to be regarded as one of the brightest prospects turning pro at that time. Still, despite winning four out of his first five paid outings (the only blemish being a draw against Duncan Cottier), Morrison was not too happy with the way things were going, and he took a near three year sabbatical from the sport. Jamal explains.
“I had a decent start to my pro career, but it wasn't flowing the way it should when you first turn over. I damaged my hand in my first fight and that kept me out for eight months. Then I was finding it difficult to regulate my weight between, and leading up to fights. I was getting the wins but I knew I was better than what I was showing. I decided to take a bit of time off and go to College and see if I could regain my enthusiasm for boxing. It was never meant to be as long as the two years and nine months it took.”
By the time he came back in October 2009 the sport had moved on. New lads had come through to capture the public's imagination, guys like his next opponent Tom Doran. Still, you never lose the talent, just the exposure. He gained a victory over previous opponent Cottier in his first outing back before he went up to Scotland to face Paddy Pollock over eight. Sadly things did not go to plan for the likeable Londener.
“I fought against Paddy Pollock on his own show over eight-twos. I won that fight clearly but I got a draw. Anyone who was there, including Paddy will probably tell you the same story.”
A setback, but not a disaster. Next up he got the call to fight one of the countries top prospects, Denton Vassell. This fight finally brought Morrison's unbeaten record to an end. Still, a worthwhile experience he claims.
“The Vassell fight was my first six rounder and it was always going to be tough, fighting and undefeated prospect on his home show who had had numerous six rounder and an eight rounder already. I felt that taking the fight at short notice was worth the risk. He's a strong, fit fighter who deserved the win, but I learned a lot from that loss.”
And so we arrive at today. One would be forgiven for thinking that Jamal had gone from being 'prospect' to 'test for prospect'. The London hard man vehemently denies such an accusation.
“No, I'd retire from the sport before I ever look at myself as a test dummy for anyone. I see myself as a fighter on the way up. I don't mind taking a challenge, or facing anyone on the way up. It's healthy for the sport and my career, and I always believe I can win.”
This is an attitude shared by his opponent. The results should be explosive. Hence it was no surprise that Morrison accepted the bout, even though he admits to not having seen Doran in action.
“I don't know much about Doran except that he is unbeaten in four fights and that he is from North Wales. I was told about the fight two weeks ago. My manager said there was a fight for me on the Hatton bill if I wanted it. He told me who it was and I accepted.”
Though Morrison accepts that he knows little about Doran, one thing he is sure of is what he brings to the ring and what he feels can make the difference come fight night.
“I've been around a long time now and I don't believe he can present me with anything I haven't seen before. He may be a good fighter, but on paper he isn't the best fighter I have fought so far, and I am the best he has fought, in terms of boxing ability. I haven't seen him fight so I will figure that out on the day.”
Whatever happens I suspect that we will not have seen the last of either Morrison or Doran if they lose. This is the kind of fight we want our prospects and this is what Hatton Promotions are giving us. With the rise of MMA Joe public doesn't want to see the old prospect v stayer fights, they are tedious. He also doesn't want to see any prospect v bum from Eastern Europe matches, where they feel that they could beat the foreign victim. They want to see two people who both believe they can win, and who will both learn from the experience. This is what we need for our sport to survive into the next century and the powers that be appear to be taking notice. I believe the future looks bright.
Jamal Morrsion certainly knows that that this year is very important when it comes to his future. He explains.
“I think my ability can take me a long way in boxing. Right now I'm just taking fights and staying busy. This will be my fifth fight in five months, by the end of the year I will know more clearly how far I can go.”
That journey will start on March 26th against the hot-shot youngster, But one thing is clear, there are two fighters here with huge ambition and only one can come away victorious. We should have learned by now. Our memories are far too short, Jamal Morrison intends to remind us of this come fight time. Tom Doran beware.
