Davey Ritson believes Scotty Cardle will try to “pinch” Saturday’s British lightweight championship cracker at the O2.
Cardle faces Davey’s son, Lewis, and is intent on regaining the 9st 9lb belt he relinquished last year in an upset in Glasgow, where Robbie Barrett climbed off the canvas to defeat the Lytham boxer.
That defeat opened a door for Lewis Ritson and the hard-hitting Geordie needed no second invitation, stopping Barrett in seven rounds at the Manchester Arena last October and defending it in even less time with a first-round TKO last month of Joe Murray in the same city.
Murray approached that fight on the JD NXTGEN show with aggression but Ritson’s dad does not expect to see Cardle mixing it.
“He might try to catch Lewis cold, it’s possible,” said Davey, head coach to the unbeaten Forest Hall fighter.
“Personally? I think he’ll do what Scotty’s good at, moving around and trying to pinch rounds.
“Scotty Cardle is a very good boxer, especially on the back foot.
“I think the problem he found against Barrett was he had to go on the front foot.”
Davey has warned the challenger he should not expect the same Lewis Ritson he shared a ring with the they sparred ahead of Cardle’s British title defence with Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd.
“Scotty and Lewis have sparred before, for a few weeks,” added Davey. “Cardle believes he can beat him but Lewis is a more polished fighter now than he was then.”
It’s a fascinating match on the big Sky Sports screened show which is headlined by the WBC Silver heavyweight title tussle between Dillian White and Lucas Browne.
Cardle will have the renowned Joe Gallagher in his corner on Saturday on the Matchroom event while Lewis will have his father guiding him, along with Neil Fannan.
The Hartlepool coach joined Team Ritson last year with Davey acknowledging how vital his input has been.
“Neil is so calm,” said Davey. “He is a brilliant man to have in the corner, he’s been there and done it.
“We go training at Neil’s gym as well, it’s been great having him on board.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Lawrence Lustig/ Matchroom
