Win in style and look good.
That is the dream of Lewis Ritson as his big confrontation with former world king Miguel Vasquez looms large.
After two postponements of the Matchroom event, it is third time lucky for the show, behind closed doors at Peterborough’s East of England Arena.
And Ritson is braced for a tough examination at the hands of the Mexican, who spent four years as the IBF’s world lightweight champion.
“Reading the piece on punch-lines this week it looks like he’s going to bring it,” said ‘the Sandman’ who will be defending his WBA Inter-continental light-welterweight belt.
“He’s a cool, calm character who has been there and done it and got the t-shirt.
“Nothing is going to faze him.
“To be fair, fighting behind closed doors is probably going to suit him better.
“I don’t think a crowd being against him would bother him anyway, but I think he’ll like it behind closed doors.”
Vazquez, at 33 is six years Ritson’s senior, and has more than double the amount of contests the Geordie has experienced.
The Mexican has still been operating at the top level, meaning Ritson is anticipating a long night.
It is scheduled to go 12 rounds and the Neil Fannan-trained crowd favourite is happy to win it on points.
“Vazquez has only been stopped twice, once by Josh Taylor who is the king of 140lbs at the moment and I think the other was more of an injury,” said Ritson who is boxing on the year’s anniversary of his stand-out WBA light-welterweight eliminator victory over Robbie Davies Jnr.
“It will be a hard task to get a stoppage but I think we can win in style on points and look good.
“We had a very good performance against Robbie Davies and we’ll be looking to build on that.”
Ritson is looking fit and, more importantly, relaxed here in the ‘bubble’ in the Holiday Inn.
But Peterborough is some miles away from his beloved Newcastle and the East of England Arena will be empty, unlike the Utilita Arena which has staged his biggest nights.
Will it be an issue?
“I’m used to thousands screaming but I don’t foresee a problem,” he told punch-lines.
“I’m not one of those boxers who doesn’t spar well but can fight well, I spar well and fight well.
“With no crowd, I suppose it is like a sparring session, but with a lot more on the line.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
