BENDIGO boxer Brad Morgan hopes his super lightweight bout in the Philippines later this year will open up more opportunities for him in Asia.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The undefeated 25-year-old will head to Calbayog City, on the island of Samar, in October for a six-round bout against an as yet unnamed opponent.
His trip continues the flow of fighters between the Vinton Street Gym in California Gully and south-east Asia.
For Morgan, it will be both his third fight in the region and his first since his win in Bendigo in March last year, which was for a World Boxing Foundation Australasia title.
"I can't wait to get back into ring, it's been a while," Morgan said.
"I'm hoping this can open up more opportunities for not just me, but all the boxers here in Bendigo.
"I'm keen to go wherever. We've had some offers to fight, including over in Fiji, but they haven't been the right offers."
While he may not have fought since early last year, Morgan has by no means slackened off
The father of two daughters, one four-years-old, the other nearly two, has continued his heavy training workload in the meantime, while balancing the demands of a full-time job and family life.
"I try and spend as much time as I can with my girls and my partner Talicia - it's a balancing act," he said.
"Especially leading up the fight, I will obviously be training more.
"But I find plenty of time for family on weekends."
Morgan, whose six career-fights have resulted in six wins - five by knockout - knows exactly what to expect in the Philippines.
The fourth and fifth fights of his career were in the Philippines and Thailand. The fight in Thailand was televised live on national television.
"It's very different, but the amount of people who turn up and watch the fights in unbelievable - there's anything from 4000 to 6000 people," Morgan said.
"It's a bit of a confidence booster for me."
His October bout could potentially be fought in front of an even bigger crowd, with the event coinciding with Founders Day in Calbayog City (population 190,000), a public holiday.
The October 16 card will also be a proud moment for Morgan's trainers, brother Pat and Garry Connolly, with their VSG Promotions getting the opportunity to work with promoter Arvin Von Goroza Friel and esteemed trainer Brix Flores, of triple A Promotions.
The event is sponsored by by the local government of Calbayog City, which is keen on discussing future projects with Triple A and VSG.
"It's an exciting step forward for VSG to be working with another promoter in Asia," said Garry Connolly, who is convinced of a bright future in the Asian region for their stable of boxers.
"We are also currently in discussions with the government and tourism board of Ayutthaya Thailand in the hopes of doing a co-promotion with our good friend and four-times Asian promoter of the year Narongwas Buamas.
'Plans include a co-promotion with our associates in China and India next year.
"The following year we will look at Europe, where we have strong connections in boxing, and other high-profile sports.'
Connolly is confident of success for Morgan in the Philippines.
"We will build up his training slowly over the next few weeks and start him sparring next week," he said.
"Brad will be fine and he'll be sharp. He's pretty excited about it and his record speaks for itself."
READ MORE:
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.
