Lewis Ritson is eyeing a bumper domestic clash with Jack Catterall as he seeks a world title shot.
The Geordie star has recently signed for rising boxer promoter Probellum and is looking to record a second consecutive victory since his shock defeat by Jeremias Ponce. Catterall suffered a controversial defeat to Josh Taylor when challenging for the undisputed crown last month and has now also signed for label.
And Ritson is confident that two more fights could see him thrown into the world-level mix. "If the opportunity comes up, but we saw on Saturday night that him and Regis Prograis are half-set on fighting each other after accepting each other's challenges," Ritson told Mirror Fighting .
"It’s another tough fight for Jack but he has shown against Josh Taylor that he is up there and is a tough fight for anybody. We will take on all challenges and if the Catterall fight does come up I have no problem taking it.
“Yeah maybe another fight like this then against a domestic fighter such as Ohara Davies, then we will be knocking on the door. It's a good time for everyone to be a 140lb fighter, Taylor has made it no secret he is moving up so there are going to be four belts lined up there so I am ready to see how it plays out."
Ritson will return to home soil this Friday when he faces former world-champion Dejan Zlaticanin who has shared the ring with the likes of Mikey Garcia and Ricky Burns. The 28-year-old will be looking to bounce back from his second career defeat having departed from his long-term contract with Matchroom Boxing.
Who do you think would win if the pair fought - Lewis Ritson or Jack Catterall? Let us know in the comments section below
The former British champion faced several high-pressure bouts during his time on the platform but now feels that he is better placed being taken off the pedestal while he works his way back to world-level.
“I am back enjoying it and have got my confidence back," Ritson continued. "The confidence never went really just sometimes you have setbacks. But with Probellum there is less pressure whereas Matchroom had us on a very high pedestal, where they wanted us to do this and do that.
"Probellum there has been none of that, no pressure and taking it fight-by-fight. And they said like ‘if you stick with us we will keep delivering the best fights’. So it is a weight off my shoulders hearing that.
“It's massively important to keep active, part of the reason I had that run at lightweight is because I was active. I won the British title outright with the belt for eight months. Probellum told me they could keep me active and they have. So it’s a case of don’t go too big out of camp and get back into training."
Lewis Ritson faces Dejan Zlaticanin at Probellum Throwdown in Newcastle on Friday, March 25 live in Eurosport TV, Eurosport App and discovery+
