Lewis Ritson says he will happily hunt down Joe Murray in their British lightweight title fight on this month’s JDNXTGEN bill.
The unbeaten 24-year-old took the Lord Lonsdale title with a ruthless stoppage win over Robbie Barrett in October and will make the first defence against Murray at the Victoria Warehouse Hotel in Manchester on Sunday February 25, live on Sky Sports.
Ritson is unsure what to expect from Murray, but insists the hometown fighter cannot keep him at bay for long.
“A massive opportunity against a good opponent in Joe,” Ritson told Sky Sports.
“I know that he’s a bit unorthodox in that some fights he comes forward, some fights he seems to go on the back foot, so I think it depends on what Joe wants to do on the night.”
Asked if Murray will stand and trade, he added: “That will suit us down to the ground, but I don’t think he will.
“I think he will come with all intentions to do that, but I think after maybe a round, a couple of rounds, I think he will go on his back foot and try and box the fight.
“We’ve seen with the Barrett fight, I’m quite good at hunting opponents down and getting into range, and letting my shots go. We’ll see on the night.”
In a packed domestic division, Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd defends his Commonwealth belt against Tommy Coyle on the undercard for Amir Khan’s British homecoming fight against Phil Lo Greco on April 21, live on Sky Sports.
Ritson would welcome a fight with the winner if he successfully retains his title this month.
“I would love to win it outright,” said Ritson. “I’ve got one eye on the Dodd and Coyle fight to hopefully get the winner and make a unification fight with them.
“You’ve also got Scotty Cardle as well. There’s a good mix at lightweight and a good few fights for me, if I keep winning.”
