CHALLENGER’S YARD
Joe Walker wonders whether Murray can make home advantage pay against Ritson
FOREST HALL’S Lewis Ritson, 13-0 (7), makes the first defence of his British lightweight title at the Victoria Warehouse Hotel in Manchester against local Joe Murray, 23-2 (10), on Sunday (February 25). Matchroom promote, while Sky Sports (Action/mix/main Event) broadcast.
The 24-year-old claimed the Lonsdale Belt in October when he stopped Robbie Barrett in seven. In contrast, Murray lost in his last attempt at British honours when Liam Walsh halted him in five down at super-feather, three years ago. Since then, he has eight consecutive wins to his name.
Murray, 31, will look to use all his experience in this fight. He will implement his unorthodox style, mixing between coming in close and standing off to box. With an accomplished counter-punching game, he could frustrate Ritson.
The champion, as he demonstrated against Barrett, is happy to walk in and trade. However, he will be wary of Murray’s power (three inside-schedule victories in his last five outings). Ritson will look to hunt Murray down and stamp his authority on the bout. The Geordie can do this, leading to a points triumph.
On the undercard, Chatteris slickster Jordan Gill, 18-0 (4), faces Doncaster portsider Jason Cunningham, 23-4 (6), in a 10-round British featherweight title eliminator. Cunningham is an ex-two-division Commonwealth champ, but the skilful Gill can earn a decision.
Leeds’ 2016 Olympian Qais Ashfaq makes his professional debut on the bill. The talented bantamweight is the latest Team GB representative to join the Matchroom stable, having claimed silver medals at both the European Championships (2015) and the Commonwealth Games (2014) during his stellar amateur career. The Yorkshireman’s opponent is yet to be confirmed at the time of writing, but he will be aiming to impress over four frames.
THE VERDICT A tricky fight for Ritson’s maiden British title defence.