The recently crowned WBU welterweight world champion will put his belt on the line for the first time in Christchurch on October 19 when he fights Nelson Tinampay, of the Philippines.
When Morgan defeated Jack Asis here in May, it was the first time a world title fight had been contested in Christchurch. Now he is hoping a successful defence will be cause for double celebrations over the next month.
“It’s a new experience for me going through camp and expecting a child at the same time,” said Morgan.
“The phone is always pretty close as I’ve got clients or I’m taking a class, it’s always beside me in case I get that call.”
Morgan will become as accustomed to girls running around the house as he has to sweeping aside any opponent who has stepped in his way over a five-year professional career. The 30-year-old has two daughters and is expecting a third.
Morgan – who works as a personal trainer at 1 More Round Boxing Fitness Centre on St Asaph St – has a current record of 20 wins and one defeat. He should hold an edge over his upcoming opponent, Tinampay, who has a record of 14 wins seven losses and a draw. The 26-year-old Filipino will also step up a weight class, previously boxing as a super lightweight.
“I know he’s going to be quite fast and have a good work rate on him . . . I just need to come to the game with my fitness extremely high, which it always is, and blow him out of the water,” said Morgan.
While Morgan’s preparations have been altered with the expected new arrival, his trainer Phil Shatford – who has been with Morgan since his amateur days – is still expecting his boxer to be in tip-top shape.
“We haven’t been able to travel and get Bowyn sparring, so we’ve just had to make do with what’s in Christchurch basically. It’s not the greatest preparation he’s ever had, that’s for sure, but in saying that, Bowyn’s always in fantastic nick.” Bowyn, who also holds the Asia Pacific IBO belt, says the plan going forward is to win another regional title, likely in Australia, which will open the door for fights in theUnited Kingdom.
“I would love to get to Australia and then the UK. That’s where it is, especially the UK, they’re overtaking America right now and really taking over the show,” said Morgan.
For now though, his sights are fully set on a successful title defence on October 19. The fight will be held at the same venue he captured the belt – the Christchurch Boys’ High School auditorium.
Morgan has been on the big stage at the Commonwealth Games and on Joseph Parker’s undercards. However, he says the atmosphere created at his WBU title-winning fight at the auditorium was “something completely different.”
•Tickets to the bout are available at dashtickets.co.nz
