Robbie Davies Jr vs Lewis Ritson – who wins?
Two of British boxing’s top super-lightweight prospects clash as champion Robbie Davies Jr (19-1) heads into the challenger's den in Newcastle where he is sure to receive a hostile reception just 12 days before Halloween.
Former British lightweight champion Lewis ‘The Sandman’ Ritson (19-1) battles champion Davies Jr in a bid to become a two-weight British titlist on October 19, live on Sky Sports.
BBN asked their panel of experts, consisting of professional boxers, trainers, promoters and writers, who wins this tantalising title contest:
Mick Kane
Boxing Writer
Looking forward to this one. Both guys have the same 19-1 record. Ritson's loss was at this very arena in front of his home crowd when he was comfortably beaten by Francesco Patera a couple of fights back, his last at lightweight.
Davies Jr last defeat was in 2017 but has went on to win, British, Commonwealth and European titles in the super light division and looks to be improving all the time. He also has experience of travelling to the north east as he won the British and Commonwealth titles against Sunderland's Glenn Foot at the then Metro Arena the same night as Ritson lost to Patera.
Think Davies Jr will have too much boxing skill for Ritson, I can see it going the distance but with a wide points win for Davies Jr to disappoint the home crowd again."
Kieran Gething
Welsh Area super-lightweight champion
"My opinion on the fight is that it’ll be a great watch, but Davies will have the knowhow to beat Ritson! I feel of the two of them, Davies has learned a hell of a lot more from his loss! I think keeping calm and showing composure will win him the fight!"
Steve Wood
Promoter at VIP Promotions
"My only doubt in this fight is if Robbie Davies can fight at a pace when making the 10 stone limit; if he can then I can only expect a stoppage win for Robbie in rounds 8/9. If the size is a telling factor and the weight is a struggle then it could be the other way round but ability-wise it is Robbie all day."
Darren Reay
Unbeaten super-lightweight
"Ritson will knock him out in five."
Ryan Walsh
British featherweight champion
"Really tough one this, so I’m going to do the ultimate fence sit! I predict a draw right now, but the weigh in will be the time I really decide, I suspect."
Tim Rickson
Sports Agent
"I find this almost impossible to predict.
I expect Ritson to be the slight favourite with the home advantage but Davies is the confident champion who is hungry and resilient and will give Ritson so much to think about. He's going to his back yard so that shows how confident he is of winning this.
Whatever happens, I expect this fight to go a few rounds and both boxers to be taken into deep waters. Leaning towards a Davies Jr points win."
Bolu Kareem
Middleweight debutant
"Robbie Davies Jr by split decision."