Middlemiss swaps the small screen for the square ring

Manchester prospect Alfie Middlemiss takes on former Midlands Area title challenger Lewis Morris this Friday, April 3. The bout takes place over eight rounds at featherweight at Planet Ice in Altrincham. DAZN will air the card live as part of the Pat Brown vs Vasil Ducar card.

Read on for my Middlemiss vs Morris predictions

Middlemiss vs Morris Odds

Middlemiss is your 1/3 favourite for a victory in front of a loud home crowd. Morris is 11/4, a good price for a tricky operator. The draw is on the market at 14/1. Not outside the realms of possibility over the eight round distance.

Middlemiss vs Morris Fight Preview

Middlemiss is best known to many followers of the sport as a former Emmerdale actor who swapped the soap for the squared circle. As a child star, he starred alongside Paddy, Marlon and the Dingles for a seven-episode arc in 2013. Alfie has also appeared in medical staple Doctors and Sally Lindsay knockabout The Madame Blanc Mysteries.

Alfie’s next role hits screens later this year, as he plays Phil Foden in a BBC adaptation of Dear England, a stage play centred on Gareth Southgate’s time as England manager.

Not content to merely portray an elite sportsman, Middlemiss is focused on becoming one in the boxing ring. He has adjusted well to the professional sport, going 5-0 since turning over in December 2024.

Matchroom certainly seems convinced by the part-time thespian. Middlemiss has already shared cards with Jack Catterall and Ben Whittaker as he learns the ropes. Morris is a sterner test than he’s had so far and, with this card intended to showcase the next generation of Matchroom talent, the spotlight will be brighter than ever.

Morris is a nice piece of matchmaking for Middlemiss’ sixth pro outing. The Walsall boy is 24, two years older than Alfie, and has a 10-3-1 record. Morris has twice fought for the Southern Area title, having lost and then drawn with champion Ryan Griffiths.

This is Middlemiss’ first paid bout against a fighter with a winning record. The 22-year-old has earned his stripes by beating fellow novices or experienced journeymen so far. Acceptable fare five fights in, but now is the time for a test. Morris offers one.

Morris climbed off the canvas to give the gifted Joe McGrail a real test back in 2024. His two Area title battles with Griffiths were gritty affairs that could have gone either way. Morris likes to box, but he can mix it when needed. Check out his points win over game journeyman Fernando Joaquin Valdez last year for a gutsy winning performance. 

A fine match-up for such a show and an adept opponent choice for Middlemiss in his sixth outing. A big performance here is another step closer to Alfie’s name going on the marquee. Lights, camera, action.

Middlemiss vs Morris Full Card

Pat Brown vs Vasil Ducar

William Crolla vs Glenn Byrne

Josh Blenkiron vs Robbie Colman

Alfie Middlemiss vs Lewis Morris

Jordan Thompson vs David Spilmont

Garan Croft vs Marco Simmonds

Alexey Shendrik vs Reda Kham

Ioan Croft vs Novak Radulovic

Middlemiss vs Morris Prediction

Neither fighter has demonstrated much punch power in their previous outings. Middlemiss has gone the distance five times in five fights. Morris has just the one stoppage; a TKO over Ricky Starkey (13 knockout defeats).

It may seem counterintuitive, but the dearth of one-punch finishing potential might be the very thing that makes this the Fight of the Night. Morris is comfortable in the trenches and Middlemiss might have to climb into them too to get a result.

I reckon this one impresses a few fans who are waiting for their dose of Pat Brown violence in the top-liner. Middlemiss and Morris mirror each other in a lot of aspects. I reckon both will try and establish the jab early and, when they cancel each other out from range, they’ll each go in for the kill.

I’m backing Middlemiss to grit his way through his hardest fight so far at 1/3.

You can find all our latest boxing betting tips and analysis at our Betfred Insights Boxing page and our latest boxing odds here.