Lewis Ritson is looking to use his fight with Miguel Vazquez as a stepping stone to an international title fight.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s bout against the Mexican former IBF lightweight champion, the 27-year-old Briton was not going to be distracted by the fight between titleholders Josh Taylor and Jose Ramirez, and did not begrudge them their chance.
He said: “I think the division needs unifying. They’re the two best in the division. They need to fight each other. The winner will get the belts and move on.
“For boxing, it’s gonna be a great fight and one I’ll enjoy watching.”
Ritson said he had put the coronavirus-enforced break to good use, and did not interrupt his training during lockdown.
“My trainer Neil Fannon’s gym is on his own land. We could go, we were training full time and it was a benefit to us when it wasn’t to others.
“I’ve been working on a lot of things. It’s a lot more polished Lewis Ritson. More patient — I’m not going to run in there looking for knockouts. I’m going to let the boxing do the talking.”
While he might have proclaimed his newfound patience ahead of the fight, he didn’t rule out a victory by stoppage.
“He’s only got two stoppages. One from Taylor and the other due to a hip injury.
“If we could do that it would be a massive statement, but we’re not looking for that. We'll show the boxing skills and if Neil tells me to go for it, we’ll go for it.”
Ritson admitted that Vazquez could be a tricky level of opponent, but considered his experience and previous achievements as qualities he needed to face.
“He’s the right opponent. The fight before against Robbie Davies, he had the European title but had to vacate because he didn’t fight in time. The next level after that is the international fringe level, and that’s what [Vazquez] is.
“The time is right to step up and fight him.”
Ritson dismissed suggestions that Vazquez would deliver anything but a positive and entertaining performance on Saturday with suggestions the 33-year-old is on the decline.
“His last fight, he came to bring it, didn’t he? I think he’s changed his style with it being his last-chance saloon.
“I don’t think he can afford to be a negative fighter and sit on the back foot. He’ll bring it, and he’ll be entertaining.
“I’m expecting him to be fit, sharp, and ready to bring it. It’s going to be a very tough fight and if I have my A-game it’ll be enough to beat him.
“A win will move us up the ladder, where we want to be.”
Where does he want to be? Regis Prograis has been mooted as his next opponent, and he says he will take the fight he’s offered.
“If that’s a fight I’m offered, that’s a fight I’ll take. It’s who MTK and [Eddie] Hearn will get us. If we get past Vazquez, it’s game on.”