Lewis Ritson would be happy to take on the winner of Robbie Davies Jr and Joe Hughes.
Ritson began life as a light-welterweight on Saturday with a unanimous points victory over Argentina’s German Argentino Benitez to win the World Boxing Association’s inter-continental belt.
But attention will switch this weekend to Liverpool where there is an intriguing domestic dust-up between Davies Jr and Hughes with the British and European titles on the line.
A showdown between Ritson and the winner from the M&S Bank Arena would appear to be good for the fight-game and relatively easy to make for Eddie Hearn, affording Matchroom the perfect reason to return to Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena.
Ritson told punch-lines he would be up for the challenge, with the prospect of Euro glory the driving force.
“We got beat for the European at lightweight and now we’re looking to box for it at light-welter,” said the 25-year-old Phil Jeffries-managed star .
“I don’t really want to go over old ground, I’ve already won the British title and my dad has the Lonsdale Belt.
“I’m excited about the European title.
“I know Jaffa is friends with [Davies manager] Neil Marsh and it’s a fight I know they won’t avoid and the same goes for us.
“That would be a must-win fight, if I couldn’t beat Robbie Davies Jnr then where am I going?
“I’ve blasted through the domestic scene at lightweight and now I want to push on to European level and if I can’t do that the it might be time to look elsewhere.
“But that’s just my opinion.”
Click here to read what Lewis Ritson thought about his win over Benitez.
It would not be easy for Ritson – both those champions are seasoned light-welters with canny CVs. Both Joe and Robbie have 17 wins each, Lewis one in front on 18, thanks to his success over Benitez.
Hughes clinched the European title in Italy last time out with an excellent points victory over Andrea Scarpa, while Davies was equally-impressive by winning the vacant British crown and taking Glenn Foot’s Commonwealth belt in Newcastle against the Sunderland hardman.
“Robbie Davies and Joe Hughes are both very good fighters at a very good level,” added Ritson.”I respect both.
“Davies has been top 10 with the WBA for a while now so it shows what level Robbie’s at and Joe keeps winning and showed what he’s about with that great result in Italy.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
