Extra weight and extra power.
So says Lewis Ritson ahead of his crack at the WBA international light-welterweight title in London on Saturday, March 23.
Ritson has moved up a division after dominating the British lightweight scene, winning all four of his title fights inside the distance.
The 25-year-old takes on Argentina’s Germain Argentino Benitez for the vacant World Boxing Association belt at the Copper Box Arena in London on Saturday, March 23.
Ritson believes his “natural power” will make him a success at light-welter, starting at the Olympic Park venue.
“You’ll see a different Lewis Ritson with the extra 5lbs to play with,” said the Phil Jeffries-managed fighter.
“The power will be more telling, we were surprised boiling down to make 135lbs I was getting good kids out of there in that fashion.
“But that shows I have natural power, which will only show with the extra weight.”
Despite making his first start at 10 stones, Ritson will begin as a very warm favourite, though Benitez will be no pushover.
A former WBO Latino light-welter title holder, the 27-year-old has won 21 times (nine inside the distance), losing three times.
Forest Hall hero Ritson is looking to put his first professional defeat firmly behind him after losing a split decision to Francesco Patera for the vacant European lightweight title in Newcastle in October.
The Neil Fannan and Davy Ritson-trained puncher lost by four rounds on two of the judges’ cards, though it looked closer than that on the night and ‘The Sandman’ is a little harsh on himself as he reflects on that evening
“I’ve watched the Patera fight back once and I won’t be doing so again,” said Ritson.
“It was a terrible performance and some of the mistakes I made on the night are inexcusable, but you live and learn.
“Fanno (coach Neil Fannan) said if I don’t get him out of there in the first half of the fight it would be a hard night’s work but I went in there with the mentality of just blasting him away early, like I had done to the previous couple of opponents which was wrong.
“It’s opened my eyes and we’ve been working on my all round game since.”
Main event sees South Londoner Charlie Edwards make the first defence of his WBC Flyweight World title against Spain’s Angel Moreno.
Rising Light-Heavyweight star Joshua Buatsi takes on former English Champion Liam Conroy for the vacant British title in his tenth fight.
London cruiserweight rivals Lawrence Okolie and Wadi Camacho collide with the British and Cruiserweight titles on the line.
Watford bantamweight talent Shannon Courtenay makes her highly-anticipated professional debut and Newport Bantamweight talent Sean McGoldrick fights for the first time under new trainer Jamie Moore.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
