Zaiphan Morris eyes Southern Area title shot ahead of fight against Luke Fash
Professional Boxing with Zaiphan Morris (black shorts) vs Harvey Helmsley at Mercy Night Club. Image Credit Jerry Daws / Stillfocused.co.uk - Credit: Jerry Daws
Zaiphan Morris has seen first hand what winning a Southern Area title means to a stablemate – now he's hoping to stake a claim for his own shot.
St Andrews Hall, boxing night.Zaiphan Morris from Norwich. Photo : Steve Adams - Credit: Steve Adams
The popular Norwich fighter has a British Classic Challenge fight against Luke Fash this weekend on a bill topped by Craig Poxton, who defends his Southern Area crown.
The super-featherweights train at the Kickstop Gym in Norwich, where rubbing shoulders with winning fighters like Liam and Ryan Walsh has spurred both on to successes of their own. Some might call it in-house competition: Morris regards it as inspiration.
'The gym is full of it,' said Morris, 32. 'There are class, class fighters all around me, which is something I am lucky to have. Success breeds success. Looking at those boys training alongside you can't help but improve you. They help bring me on, whether it be a word in the ear or training alongside and sparring.
'Craig was brilliant in his last outing and I am champing at the bit to have a go at the Southern Area. First and foremost I have to get past the next opponent, but the Southern Area, for me is something I would love to do.
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'But I do what my team tell me; they know better than I do. They have got my best interests at heart so whatever they plan for me is where I will go.
'In my head though, I'd love it – it is a prestigious belt at domestic level, and something I would love to fight for. I think if I was in the ring fighting for that there is no way I would come out anything but a winner.'
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That's the plan for Saturday at the Epic Centre in Norwich when Morris comes up against 27-year-old Fash for the second time, having beaten the Yorkshireman in Braintree last May.
'I believe he has been asking for a rematch for a long time – since almost immediately after we fought before.
'He is a very, very aggressive, come-forward fighter. He doesn't go into his shell at all. He has beaten a couple of unbeaten lads, he has a lot of power and he looks to really dig in. He will come to fight – it is a title fight and he is going to come and win it the same way I am.
'I fought him over four rounds and I thought I won and won well – and boxed well – but I am looking to prove I am a level above now.'
