Ludlow's Craig Morris is the pro's real deal

There's been no paid pugilist from his part of Shropshire for over 75 years but all that changed at Walsall Town Hall on Saturday night,

Morris turned over against former Midlands champion Kevin McCauley over four rounds at light middleweight, although he may drop down to welter.

The 23-year-old started on a winning note with a 40-36 points shut-out, too, spurred on by loud support from around the venue.

The former Ludlow School captain came into the code having represented both Ludlow Boxing Club and Lions in Dudley as an amateur, winning a host of area titles.

His pro bow was all a blur until it came time to get down to business, delighting his fans with the 'W' after a useful performance.

He said: "It didn't seem real, you see people make their debuts as a spectator and on television, but it's so different when you are the one standing in there.

"I am really pleased with how it went and I am so grateful for the support I had. Nearly everyone who came to see me was from Ludlow.

"I sold most of my tickets - I did 102 in the end - over Facebook and through word of mouth and they gave me a real buzz.

"I don't think they had ever been to a boxing show like that before and it was exciting for us all. I can't wait to do it again."

Morris was re-paired with original opponent McCauley at just a day's notice, after Robert Studzinski and Warren Sinden were scrubbed from the line-up.

Burly Polish hard man Studzinski was supposed to face Morris, who wasn't sad to see him go after coming in light.

He said: "It's a good job, really, he's a big man who has been at cruiserweight before and I wasn't much above 10st 7lb.

"McCauley was a more natural opponent for me, but was tough and durable. It wouldn't have been an easy debut, either way."

With Claverley's Dave Bradley in his corner, he set his stall out early and clubbed McCauley with a right hook in the first round which irked him, adding needle to the bout.

Morris wouldn't be bullied, though, and stuck to his boxing as both got on their toes and upped the pace.

He landed more right hooks in the third and fourth, with a defiant McCauley screaming 'come on' at him. However, the TKO just wouldn't come.

Morris said: "I knew what his game plan would be, he's a wily veteran who would try and rough me up.

"My trainer told me to relax and I always get stronger as the fight wears on, so I felt good by the time it had finished.

"He tried to tag me in flurries, but I was moving well in there and looked to land the right hand when I could."