Hard-hitting Lewis Ritson may have to be patient

European lightweight title
Sky Sports Action, from 7pm Saturday
Main Event 10pm

Lewis Ritson has been smashing his way through the British lightweight scene and he is a red-hot favourite to add the vacant European title to his collection when he faces Francesco Patera in Newcastle.

Ritson won the British title by beating Robbie Barrett in seven rounds a year ago and has defended it three times since, quickly blasting out Joe Murray (first round), Scott Cardle (second round) and Paul Hyland (first round).

But he may need to be more patient against Patera, who has been the distance in six of his last seven fights against some good opponents including Ivan Mendy, Sean 'Masher' Dodd, and twice with talented Finn Edis Tatli.

Ritson should have enough to win but he may be glad of the opportunity to get some rounds under his belt before bigger challenges in the future, so backing the fight to last more than 6.5 rounds at 4-5 looks the way to go.

On the undercard, Robbie Davies Jnr is 4-11 to take the Commonwealth super-lightweight title from champion Glenn Foot, along with the vacant British strap.

Recommendation
L Ritson v F Patera over 6.5 rounds
1pt 4-5 Ladbrokes

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