Scotty Cardle is adamant he will show he is “the best in Britain” by ending Lewis Ritson’s as British champion.
Two of the nation’s best lightweights collide at the O2 in London on Saturday, March 24 on the undercard of Dillian Whyte v Lucas Browne for the WBC Silver heavyweight championship.
Cardle presents clear and present danger to the Newcastle star – the Lytham man had gone 21 bouts unbeaten before being shocked by Robbie Barrett 11 months ago in Glasgow.
Ritson ripped the title from Barrett in Manchester last October and defended it even more emphatically last month by stopping Joe Murray inside a round on a night he expected to be facing Cardle.
“Lewis showed against Murray what he can do,” said Cardle.
“He’s a deserved British champion but obviously I believe that he’s just holding that belt for me to take it from him.
“He’s an honourable guy so hats off to him for fighting me next, anyone that knows me knows that I didn’t show up against Barrett in Glasgow, what he did to Robbie is what I could’ve done, but I wasn’t myself that night.
“No excuses – I wasn’t good enough.
“I’ve had a six rounder since that fight but this is the one I want.
“I need to get that title back andshow that I am the best in Britain.
“Joe Gallagher was in Germany with Callum Smith so the preparation wasn’t right to do it in Manchester, but I’ll be fully prepared for March 24 and ready to get my belt back.”
Ritson and Cardle clash on a huge night of action in Greenwich as Dillian Whyte and Lucas Browne meet for Whyt
e’s WBC Silver heavyweight title while Frank Buglioni defends his British Light-Heavyweight title against Callum Johnson.
Tickets for Whyte vs. Browne at The O2 in London are on sale now priced £40, £60 and £100 from www.theO2.co.uk. VIP tickets priced £200 are exclusively available from www.matchroomboxing.com
Face value tickets for March 24 are available from http://www.stubhub.co.uk/matchroom-boxing-tickets/ . StubHub is the official ticket partner and marketplace of Matchroom Boxing and Anthony Joshua.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Lawrence Lustig/ Matchroom
