Lewis Ritson and Robbie Davies Jnr have been at each others throats. Now instead of chucking insults it’s time for the bitter rivals to prepare to throw punches.
The fight between two of Britain’s best light-welterweights is very much on with Newcastle’s Utilita Arena the stage for this big domestic confrontation on Saturday, October 19.
Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom have labelled the show ‘Bad Blood’ and you could not sum it up in two more appropriate words.
A little social media friction turned into a full-on playground squabble at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool earlier this month.
It kicked off when Ritson, following a third-round stoppage win over Marek Jedrzejewski, told the audience in the venue and on Sky Sports that Davies was “full of s**t”.
Back stage the pair exchanged words and after Davies stopped Michal Dufek in three rounds he walked around the ring screeching “Ritson, where are ya?”
Afterwards on Sky, Davies said: “Ritson is nowhere near me, how is he in the WBA’s top 15 in the world?”
We will now find out at the Metro Radio Arena (in old money) just who is right.
Team Ritson have total faith in ‘The Sandman’ who is rated 11th by the World Boxing Association compared to number six Davies.
The talented Scouser, who boasts a 19-1 record, with 13 of his wins coming early, taunted Ritson that “I’ll stop him, I’ll stop him on my life” with body shots.
Coach Neil Fannan has told punch-lines that the 29-year-old is all talk.
“I’m confident,” he said. “Robbie Davies is one of these fighters who needs to talk himself up and we’re happy to let him do all the talking he wants.
“I think he really believes what he says – he says Lewis Ritson has not fought anyone but look at Robbie’s record.
“Other than Glenn Foot and Joe Hughes, who has he fought?
“He burgled Glenn and against Joe I’m not the only person to think Joe actually beat him.
“All the hype has come from him – I’m just hoping he turns up.”
Fannan laughed off the former Commonwealth and European champion’s assertion that Ritson would be stopped and instead argued that it should be Davies who is concerned on that front.
“I’m not worried about strength,” added Fannan. “When you look at the stick Lewis dished out to German Benitez, you have to question can Robbie Davies take that stick?”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Dave Thompson/ Matchroom
