Trey Lippe-Morrison is confident his recent work with a new trainer will lead to an improved performance when he steps inside the ring on Saturday night.
A local fan favorite in Southwest Missouri and Northeastern Oklahoma, the undefeated Lippe-Morrison will return to action when Top Rank Boxing hosts an evening of professional boxing on Saturday from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tulsa.
A native of Vinita, Oklahoma, Lippe-Morrison (17-0, 17 KOs) will meet journeyman Don Haynesworth (16-6-1, 14 KOs) in a six-round heavyweight clash that will be streamed live on ESPN+.
“To be fighting in your own backyard, you can’t ask for anything better than that,” Lippe-Morrison said during Thursday’s press conference. “You can definitely expect a fun crowd when you come to Oklahoma.”
The 31-year-old Lippe-Morrison, who weighed in at 229 pounds, last fought on April 10 at the Osage Casino in Tulsa, earning a TKO win over Jason Bergman when his opponent could not continue after suffering an apparent ankle injury.
Although he kept his record unblemished, Lippe-Morrison was unhappy after the bout, as he was knocked down early in the fight and was unable to deliver a knockout blow. He’s vowed to be better this time around.
Since his last fight, Lippe-Morrison has switched trainers. The son of the late Tommy Morrison has been training with Kevin Lightburn in Springdale, Arkansas.
During Thursday’s press conference, Lippe-Morrison was asked what fans can expect to see out of him on Saturday night.
“I just need you to expect everything to be better,” Lippe-Morrison said. “Kevin is my new trainer. He’s got my boxing all-around better…defensive-wise, offensive-wise. Overall, look for me to be better.”
The 288-pound Haynesworth, who is 38, fights out of Greensboro, North Carolina, and has been a pro since 2014. He’s dropped his last three fights.
Lippe-Morrison’s bout is listed as the fifth of six fights on the undercard, which begins at 5 p.m. on ESPN+.
The night’s televised tripleheader goes live on ESPN at 9 p.m.
The highly-anticipated main event features WBA super flyweight world champion Joshua Franco (17-1-2) taking on former world champion Andrew Moloney (21-1) in what will be the third clash between the two.
“I think you can expect a great fight,” Moloney told Top Rank during Thursday’s press conference. I know Franco is going to be more determined this time around after the criticism he’s copped since that last fight and the whole world knowing that I should be the champ right now. But I’m coming even more determined with more to prove, and as I said, I’m doing this for my family and this is going to be a great night and I’m going to come out with that belt like I should’ve.”
A four-round middleweight special attraction will see the professional debut of Nico Ali Walsh, the grandson of Muhammad Ali. Ali Walsh will take on Jordan Weeks (4-1).
“I feel like everyone puts this pressure on me because of my grandfather being who he was, but to me, it’s just my grandfather,” Ali Walsh said Thursday. “To everyone else, it’s the Greatest of All Time. I believe that too, but to me, it’s just my grandfather. I think he’d be most excited that I’m being promoted by Bob Arum and Top Rank. The tradition of Arum promoting my grandfather to now promoting me is pretty amazing, so he’d have a lot to say about that. It’s been amazing.”
In a 10-round co-feature that will open the live ESPN telecast, undefeated WBO International junior welterweight champion Arnold Barboza Jr. (25-0) will take on Antonio Moran (26-4-1).
In the final bout on the undercard, Jason Moloney (21-2), Andrew’s twin brother, will fight Joshua Greer (22-2-2) for the vacant WBC silver bantam title.
The event is promoted by Top Rank Boxing, in association with Tony Holden Productions and Golden Boy Productions.
“The Hard Rock and the fight fans of Tulsa are in for a treat with a grudge match between Franco and Moloney, an all-action fight between Barboza and Moran, and the professional debut of a special young man in Nico Ali Walsh,” Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said in a recent press release.
