JDNXTGEN: Lewis Ritson wants to test himself against the likes of Luke Campbell and Anthony Crolla
Monday 19 February 2018 16:43, UK
Lewis Ritson wants to drum up public demand for a big domestic fight against the likes of Anthony Crolla or Luke Campbell by continuing to climb the rankings.
The British lightweight champion makes the first defence of his title against Joe Murray on this Sunday's packed JDNXTGEN bill in Manchester, live on Sky Sports, and is eager to enhance his reputation as one of the division's rising stars.
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Former world champions Crolla and Ricky Burns, along with Olympic gold medallist Luke Campbell, are part of the British weight class, and the ambitious Ritson hopes a string of victories will earn him a fight against one of his proven rivals.
"Yes, definitely the long-term goal," said Ritson. "Crolla, he's lost his world title a couple of fights back, it just depends if these lads want to go back on the domestic scene.
"Luke has fought Linares as well. They've been there and done it haven't they? So it just depends if they want to come back to domestic level and fight for the likes of the British title, which sometimes they don't want to do.
"I win the British level outright and you go on to European and win that, and you're battling up to where the likes of them are.
"If it's a good enough fight, and the British public ask for them sort of fights don't they, so they wouldn't be able to knock it back.
I know Ricky Burns very well, he's at lightweight, then you've got Crolla and Campbell so there's a few big names that we could fight along the road.
"There is a few of them. I know Ricky Burns very well, he's at lightweight, then you've got Crolla and Campbell so there are a few big names that we could fight along the road."
Ritson must firstly retain his belt by defeating the dangerous Murray and has promised to produce another eye-catching performance.
"Another explosive victory," said Ritson, when asked for a prediction. "I only know one way to fight and that's to come forward.
Lewis Ritson issues warning to Joe Murray ahead of British title fight
"That's what viewers like to watch, a come forward fighter who likes to put pressure on opponents, and that's what you get from me."
Ritson's title defence is part of packed night of boxing as Jordan Gill also faces Jason Cunningham in a British title eliminator, while Qais Ashfaq makes his debut for Matchroom Boxing, and Tasha Jonas, Hosea Burton, Marcus Morrison, Sam Hyde and Scott Fitzgerald all return to the ring.
Watch Lewis Ritson's British title fight with Joe Murray on a packed JDNXTGEN bill, starting at 7pm on Sunday March 25, live on Sky Sports Action.
