D’Quan Morgan used to terrorize opponents on the football field as a linebacker on the Richmond Raider defense. Now, Morgan is doing the same in the boxing ring.

For the last three years, Morgan has been an amateur boxer and is undefeated with a record of 9-0 with three knockouts. Just recently, the 20-year-old fighter was named as the Outstanding Boxer Novice of the year at the North Carolina Amateur Boxing Association event last weekend in Dunn.

“There were so many people selected, but it was a blessing by God to get it,” Morgan, who boxes at 184-pounds, said. “I’ve gotten a lot of support from the people in the area, and I want to thank them for that.”

Morgan trains at the Dungeon Boxing Club in Hamlet under Mario Olivera Jr. and his brother, Cezer. Olivera Jr. said he has been training Morgan for two years, and that Morgan has a great work ethic.

“The first thing we had to work on was teaching him how to move his feet faster,” Olivera Jr. said. “We got him where he is doing less brawling, more strategy and out-smarting people in the ring. He has a good combination of a upper cut and right hook, which is helping him produce more knockouts.”

Morgan’s career was put in jeopardy following a vehicle accident in July of 2006, which occurred when he was driving for a local truck company. Morgan remembers the truck blowing a tire and flipping five times. He said he was blessed to end up with only a torn muscle in his shoulder, knowing the accident could’ve been worse.

“It helped me understand that you can’t take nothing for granted,” Morgan said.

After surgery to repair his shoulder, Morgan was on the shelf for the remainder of 2006 and all of 2007, but returned in 2008 and has posted five victories. His first fight was in March at the North Carolina Golden Gloves in Charlotte where he defeated Justin Lynch.

“This is something I love, and I wanted to get back doing it,” Morgan said. “My first match back was emotional. It was a hard fought match, and both of us was bleeding. However, I was able to win by an unanimous decision.”

Olivera Jr. and Morgan’s boxing handler and coach Kermit Cox, who set up Morgan’s fight, both said there is a possibility that Morgan could turn pro some time next year. They maintained he still needs some more fights under his belt.

“We want him to get that experience fighting people in open class,” Cox said. “He’s only fought people in novice class. Open class has more experienced fighters and it will be a good measuring stick to see how he does against that level of competition.”

Going pro is something Morgan said he will consider down the road. His focus is on training for the North Carolina Golden Gloves on March 6 and 7 in Charlotte, which is the first event he will participate in next year.

“Right now, I’m getting myself geared up for that event,” Morgan said. “I know my trainers are going to push me hard in the gym and in the ring to get me ready.”

Contact sports reporter Corey Davis at 997-3111, ext. 44; e-mail cdavis@yourdailyjournal.com