Woodhouse's best ever punch means revenge over Morris
This afternoon’s fight billed as ‘Repeat or Revenge’ was unequivocally the latter as Curtis Woodhouse reversed his loss to Jay Morris by way of a third round stoppage at Rotherham’s Magna Centre.
Ten months ago, Driffield’s former professional footballer Woodhouse (9st 12lbs 14oz) saw his unbeaten record broken by Isle of Wight scrapper Morris (10st) by a single point in a messy encounter in Belfast. The light-welterweight contender has been seething ever since. He executed a plan devised with trainer David Coldwell to perfection today, bringing matters to an end after 39 seconds of the third, following up on a knockdown brought about by a naturally savage right cross.
Morris entered the ring looking in super nick and had obviously trained hard for the ten-threes bout, nominally for the vacant ‘British International Masters’ title. Don’t ask me. He might have been a long way from home but in tow were Ronnie Davies, Graham Earl, Tony Oakey and Cornelius Carr as well as a few fans. Sheffield boxing royalty Ryan Rhodes accompanied his stablemate on his way to the ring and as soon as Woodhouse stepped through the ropes there was eyeball between the pair at ring centre. Referee Howard Foster wasn’t having any of it and despatched the boxers to their corners.
Coldwell tried to calm his charge down with a few words before the first bell. Perhaps they worked. It was hard to tell. Woodhouse unloaded with a hook to the body followed by a right hook to the head which hurt Morris. The visitor stuck out his tongue but was fooling no one. However, Morris eventually recovered and pinned Woodhouse to the ropes, delivering body shots whilst the Yorkshireman covered up.
This was a concern for me. I have watched several of Woodhouse’s thirteen fights and not once have I seen him allow an opponent to take an advantage without some response. It’s just not what he does. When this was repeated in the second round – which I gave to Morris after a good start from Woodhouse – I assumed there was a problem with the headline fighter.
There wasn’t. Woodhouse was boxing to a plan (more of which later) but it turned out to be unnecessary when he uncorked a heavy right cross which crashed through Morris’ guard and sat him down. It was a testament to the hard work that Morris had put in that he got up at all. After the eight count, Woodhouse poured it on; Morris took a couple of hard shots and referee Foster rescued the Newport man.
“That was the best shot I’ve thrown in any ring or nightclub!” enthused the likeable 29-year-old victor.
When asked about the mini-rope-a-dope plan which trainer Coldwell had told me was in effect, Woodhouse beamed, “He’s right! I’d planned on fighting ten hard rounds and knew that Morris would be strong at the weight. We knew he would want to push us back so we let him. I’ve been sparring with much bigger kids to get me ready for this.
“I was coming back with little counters when I was on the ropes, breaking him down. He hit me with some good shots but we’re not playing tennis in there. There wasn’t one moment in there when I felt uncomfortable.
“The knockout shot wasn’t part of the plan but I heard Dave saying to throw the right hand and I set it up with a double jab. I don’t know how he got up from it.
“I have a lot of respect for Jay Morris. I know we’ve had a lot of banter on the internet but I like him. We’re 1-1 now – give it a bit of time and we’ll have a rubber match! Why not?”
Morris was unhappy at the stoppage, claiming that Woodhouse’s follow up shots were landing on his gloves and that he was ‘100%’ when matters were halted. Veteran south coast trainer Ronnie Davies disagreed, showing class to come into the victor’s dressing room to say the referee had made the right decision and wishing Woodhouse the best of luck.
Woodhouse is looking forward to his next challenge, a rise in the standard of opponent as he takes on French champion Christophe Sebire on the undercard of David Haye-John Ruiz, though according to our BoxRec the Rouen man has a March fight lined up on home turf.
“Little old me from Driffield taking on the French champion? Who’d have thought it?” mused Woodhouse. “I don’t know whether to shit myself or get straight back in the gym! We’ve sparred before (he and Sebire)…in the first round he broke my nose and bit a lump out of my chest. We’ve got history!”
Discounted by some as a novelty act when lacing up the gloves for the first time, Woodhouse continues to fight hard to earn the respect he feels he deserves. Today reflected a big leap – he showed the discipline he’s often lacked combined with natural finishing power. Attention, Monsieur Sebire!
Submitted by Ian McNeilly on 28 February, 2010 - 22:38
