DAILY SPORT catches up with hot lightweight prospect, hailing from Canning Town, Billy Morgan in an exclusive interview.
PZ: I read on Facebook today that Mark Tibbs put you through a good session at the gym, whilst it was 30 degrees of heat outside. What did that involve?
BM: We started off doing about four rounds on the pads, going through the motions and doing some fine tuning. Also did a few rounds on the bag and also some strength and conditioning work using weights, to prepare me in advance of next week.
PZ: What happens next week?
BM: We start the sparring, full body weights circuits and the running with sprints.
PZ: Your doing great so far. 6 and 0 and only dropped one round in all your fights. Are you ready for some stiffer opposition?
BM: Absolutely. The better the opponent in front of me and the better I fight. I’d like to step up to an eight or ten round bout next and push myself to that next level. I’d like to take on unbeaten prospects and also guys who have challenged for titles or who currently hold them. It motivates me to fight someone who will hit me back.
PZ: Who gave you the nickname Billy The Kid?
BM: I think it was initially in the Newham Recorder! Mind you – I’ve been given a few names over the years, such as Captain Morgan, but Billy The Kid seems to be the one that has stuck. When I was a teenager I looked about 10, and now I’m 22 I probably only look about 18!
PZ: Which title would you like to be aiming for within the next twelve months?
BM: I’d like the Southern Area or English. I wouldn’t want to go for the British both feet first just yet.
PZ: When are you looking to fight next?
BM: Dean Powell has just confirmed that I will be fighting on the 14th September.It’s been frustrating waiting this long, as I would like to be fighting every month, but I’m delighted that I now have a date. Now when I do fight I will be ready to put my new skills to test.
The other bonus is that there’s about three or four of us from the TKO gym fighting that night including Billy Joe Saunders and Gary Corcoran.
PZ: You have had all your six fights at the York Hall. Anywhere else you would love to fight?
BM: I’d love to fight all over the world. As a boxer you dream of fighting in all the well know venues. York Hall will always be special though as I won my first title there, but I’m ready for bigger arenas, initially on the undercards and then hopefully one day top the bill as the main fight for major titles.
PZ: Your 5ft 10” which is pretty tall for your weight category. Do think over time you can see yourself moving up a weight division from lightweight to perhaps welter?
BM: When I first turned professional I was a super featherweight and I struggled to get higher than 60KG’s. Within a couple of months I was walking around at 61KG’s and 62KG’s and started boxing at lightweight. I have boxed at light welter, and at the moment I’m probably walking around at about 65KG’s. So, yes – certainly room for moving up into new weight divisions. I just need to make sure I confidently mature into that weight though.
PZ: In terms of nutrition and weight monitoring, do you get any guidance from Mark (Tibbs)?
BM: Mark is a great help. He’s been there and done it and knows his nutrition inside and out. If I’m ever unsure what to eat or which fluids to take on, he will give me the advice that is needed and is always bang on. For example, portion size and when to eat. I also see a nutritionist who helps me with vitamin intake, but when it comes to rehydration and salts and all that, Mark’s knowledge is second to none. I’ve been told I can have one Nando’s a week, but that’s my lot!
PZ: I’ve interviewed quite a few of the guys at the TKO gym. Tell us about your stable mates and what the atmosphere is like at the TKO with Team Tibbs?
BM: We all get on really well together. We meet up at the weekends and all go running together, and keep in touch with each other throughout the week. However, whenever we are in the gym and Jimmy or Mark instruct us to do something, the banter stops and the hard graft starts. If one of us is sparring or training, we often give each other advice and encouragement. Having fighters like Kevin Mitchell, Billy Joe (Saunders) and Colin Lynes in the gym are inspirational to look at and help you to improve your game. When they give you advice, you really listen to them. But in general, the whole gym is really buzzing. There are no enemies in the gym, and although Jimmy and Mark’s stable is forever growing, it’s just like one big family.
PZ: Any fighter in particular who inspires you at the TKO gym?
BM: Kevin Mitchell. When I first started boxing at West Ham, Kevin was fighting in the ABA’s and when I was 10 years old I used to train and run with him, and was one of the few guys willing to spar and work with him. I feel that we have certain similarities in the way we train and fight, so he acts as a big inspiration knowing how far he has got, and how far I could potentially go.
PZ: Who do you spar with at the TKO?
BM: Kevin Mitchell, Eddie Hussein, and I was helping Charlie Hoy out with his last fight. I also spar with Billy Joe Saunders, and have been sparring with Danny Cassius to help him in preparation for the Southern Area fight. Mark also brings in other guys from Brighton and North London, and always has plenty of options for sparring.
PZ: Which aspects of your game are you currently working on with Jimmy and Mark (Tibbs).
BM: Recently we have been working more on relaxing my style and concentrating on accuracy of my shots, as opposed to being over eager to impress.
PZ: Name one part of training that you don’t like or find boring.
BM: I like all of it!! I’ve been boxing for most of my life, so if I was not to be in the gym, or sparring, or training, something would be wrong. I even miss getting punched in the face from sparring when I’m not in the ring. It’s crazy I know, but I love it.
PZ: Not even one thing you don’t like about training? Not even the smell of an old pair of gloves?
BM: I even love the smell of them! (PZ laughs!). I guess the only thing I could say I don’t like is washing the contents of the kit bag!
PZ: Tell us about the influence of having Mark and Jimmy Tibbs training you?
BM: It’s a massive influence on me. Growing up I was best friends with a lad who was related to Jimmy, I think Jimmy’s his uncle. Anyway – he always used to say, Jimmy was on TV last night and he was in so and so’s corner, and he built up a reputation for him, that by the time I got to train in their gym, before I even got to see their faces, I could feel their presence! The level of respect they have is incredible. The first conversation I had with them, where they mapped out where they thought I could go in boxing, was unbelievable. I was star struck by them. They are an incredible influence.
PZ: Jimmy should obviously be a Hall of Famer already. Do you think Mark is quickly following in his footsteps?
BM: Definitely. When you see them working together it’s brilliant. Sometimes Jimmy will make a suggestion and Mark will be quiet in the background and then about 10-15 minutes later Mark will intervene and add to Jimmy’s suggestion, and Jimmy will take it on board and the combination of both their advice is magic. As time goes on now though, whereas Jimmy used to be in full control, Mark is taking more control and is developing his own style and character which as with Jimmy is outstanding. Certain things are 100% Mark, such as strength and conditioning, and he continues to try new things out on himself, and if they work for him, he is happy to try the techniques out on the boxers. He’s a great example.
PZ: Tell us a bit about yourself outside of the gym. What’s your day job?
BM: I’m a plumber for Newham Council . They are good with me as I am given a two hour lunch break to train, but I make the extra hour back at the end of the day. The lads at work are great also as they come to all my fights, and since I’ve worked there, they have become more and more passionate with their interest in boxing.
PZ: You have won some massive accolades as an amateur. Junior ABA Champion 2006 & 2007, NACYP Champion 2006, GB Gold Medal 2007 and Many England Vests. You are a good looking lad with a great boxing style. What’s your ambition in boxing?
BM: World Champion. I also want to win a British title outright, but the world title is the one I want. Not for the money because that can come and go, but the world title achievement would always be there.
PZ: Any fighters who are reading this who you would like to call out?
BM: There’s a long list!! I can’t gives specific names, but would say that anybody who wants to fight to get in touch with the DailySport and let’s get in on!
PZ: Your thoughts on the Khan Garcia Fight. What should Khan do next?
BM: I think he should step to welterweight and fight Kell Brook in Britain. If he wins, he will win the British public back, and if he doesn’t then it’s back to the drawing board. I think everybody underestimated Danny Garcia, including myself. I thought Khan would stop him.
PZ: Tell the readers one thing about yourself which not many people know?
BM: As opposed to most people who look into mirrors to check themselves out, when I’m in front of a mirror, I always have to throw a four or five punch combination!