Boxing
Lewis Ritson would prefer Josh Taylor to face Terence Crawford than remain at 140lbs
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Lewis Ritson is one fight away from a world title shot but admits he’d prefer Josh Taylor, undisputed champion at super-lightweight, to move up a division.
Ritson faces Jeremias Ponce tonight, a fight live on DAZN in multiple regions, and a win for the Newcastle man could potentially put him in the ring with Taylor.
Ritson is participating in his first fight since October’s controversial victory over Miguel Vazquez. There, Ritson appeared well off the pace as he failed to cope with the veteran Mexican’s movement and trickery.
He’ll need to be much improved against Ponce if he’s to move to elite level where he admits he’d rather compete for a vacated title instead of taking on Taylor, a fighter he knows well from sparring.
“I’m knocking on his door, but I just hope that he moves up so I can get a vacant belt,” Ritson said to Boxing Scene. “He is a special fighter and he has done great. But I will fight him if I have to.
“The sparring went well, don’t get me wrong. But sparring is different to fighting. He is one who can up his game more in the fight than during the spar.
“If someone had asked after the spar if I would fight Josh Taylor, I would say ‘yes, absolutely’. But you watch him fight and think ‘I’ll keep away from him’. I hope he moves up and does fight Terence Crawford.”
