THE intensity of a Manchester derby is something professional boxer Marcus Morrison is well aware of.
Aged 16, Morrison was released by Manchester City in what he described as a “heartbreaking” moment of his life.
However, in what he calls a “blessing in disguise”, that moment saw him turn to his other passion, boxing, and today he has won all 13 of his professional fights, and is the holder of the WBC International middleweight title.
But in five years as a youth team player at the club, he had tasted the intensity of the city rivalry on numerous occasions.
And he fondly remembers some tussles with the enigma that is Ravel Morrison.
“Ravel was well known for being a very aggressive player, and we certainly had a lot of 50/50 physical battles.
“He was a fiery lad, but I thankfully never had to use any of my boxing skills in the confrontations!
“And Jesse Lingard was exceptionally quick, you could see he would make it to where he is today.”
Morrison played in the same team as Harry Bunn, who is currently plying his trade with Championship table-toppers Huddersfield Town.
And despite being released as a teenager from his boyhood club, he remains a big supporter to this day.
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Asked about his team’s chances this season, Morrison was as confident about that as he is about how far he can go in the sport of boxing.
“I think we’ll finish top of the league, and if we carry on as we are, it will be very comfortable,” said Morrison.
“I reckon we could finish nine or even 12 points ahead of the rest.
And his favourite player?
“I’m a big fan of Vincent Kompany,” he added.
“He’s a defender like I was, and loves a good tackle and getting stuck in. There are certainly some similarities between us!”
Morrison will next be in ring action when he fights on the undercard of Anthony Joshua’s first IBF world title defence on November 26. His opponent has yet to be named.
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