RITSON AND DAVIES PREPARE TO COLLIDE IN WBA FINAL ELIMINATOR SHOWDOWN

Local boy Lewis Ritson and Ohara Davies headline a brilliant night of boxing in Newcastle this Saturday (March 4) as the pair clash in what promises to be an intriguing contest.

A bout which has been mooted for a long time finally takes place as the main event on a card which also features Thomas Patrick Ward, Lee McGregor, Ben Rees and Steven Cairns.

Ritson (23-2, 13 knockouts) and Davies (24-2, 17 knockouts) meet in a WBA final eliminator for the world title at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena and, with no love lost between the pair, fireworks are expected.

Ritson, 29, returns to action for the first time in almost a year. On his last outing, “The Sandman” produced an impressive display to defeat Montenegro’s Dejan Zlaticanin on points, via a unanimous decision, after outclassing the former WBC world champion.

London-born Davies fought more recently with the 31-year-old facing Granada’s Abdessamad Nechchad last June in Leeds. On that occasion, he made relatively light work of the test, eventually securing victory courtesy of an eighth-round knockout.

Davies goes into the bout off the back of a run of six consecutive victories with his last defeat coming against Jack Catterall in 2018. His only other setback arrived a year earlier when “Two Tanks” was beaten by Josh Taylor.

Like his opponent, Ritson has only experienced defeat twice in his professional career to date. Since losing to Jeremias Ponce in 2021, he has won two in a row.

So, how is this one expected to go?

Essentially, it’s a pretty even match up. The two men share almost identical records in terms of victories and defeats.

Davies, who has four more career knockouts to his name, is the bookies’ favourite.

Ritson, however, is a hugely talented fighter who is certainly capable of utilising his skills-set to come out on top.

Perhaps crucially, he also has the benefit of fighting on home turf where he will undoubtedly be heavily supported by the locals.

For the winner, there is a shot at gold on the horizon.

For the loser, exciting options in the future will be limited.

Whatever happens, this is definitely one fight not to be missed.