Lewis Ritson v Robbie Davies Jnr will be a 50-50 fight … should it ever come off.
So says Ritson’s manager Phil Jeffries who described his boxer as “absolutely fantastic” in the second defence of his WBA Inter-continental title in Liverpool at the weekend.
A shoot-out between two bitter rivals, who are both title holders at light-welterweight, has “is bubbling” according to Eddie Hearn.
The Matchroom boss has already spoken of returning to Newcastle with Saturday, October 19, a potential date.
Ritson and Davies were involved in verbal altercation backstage at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool after their respective stoppage wins, Lewis halting Marek Jedrzejewski in three rounds and British 10-stone champ Robbie beating Michal Dufek also inside three.
Both have vowed to beat each other and it’s a domestic dust-up fans would love – and there is more than pride at stake with Davies rated sixth by the World Boxing Association and Ritson 11th.
“It’s a 50-50 fight for me,” said Jeffries. “I have lots of respect for Robbie’s manager, Neil Marsh, and I think Davies is a very good boxer.
“But I’m not sure where Robbie gets the idea that he is the champion and Lewis is no-where near him.
“He’s good but he only has two top names on his record, Joe Hughes and Glenn Foot, and I have to say, hand on heart, I thought Joe nicked their fight.
“It will be a brilliant fight and event if it can be made.
“A fight like this will pack out the Metro Radio Arena and it’s not one where you would box for peanuts.
“Lewis will need to be well paid for it.”
Ritson will not shy away from a showdown and confidence in the camp has risen since his tremendous performance at the weekend, his second bout since a permanent move to Neil Fannan’s gym.
“Lewis was absolutely fantastic,” said Jeffries. “I was over the moon with him.
“He has worked so well since going to Fano’s full-time.
“You could see in the fight the footwork, the head movement, I saw a bit of Tommy Ward in him.
“I’ve been his manager for 11 bouts now and I can honestly say that was one of the best performances I’ve seen from him. And I have to put that down to Fano and the work they’ve done.”
Jeffries too had praise for the Ritson team, which also comprises Lewis’s dad, Davey, and Imran Naeem.
“You look at some fighters who come to the ring with huge entourages,” added Jaffa. “Our team might not be the biggest but Lewis has a great team around him.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Dave Thompson/ Matchroom
