Ritson v Ponce prediction and boxing betting tips: Long awaits the Sandman

Free boxing tips, best bets and analysis for Lewis Ritson v Jeremias Ponce at the Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastle on Saturday night.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Action, 7pm Saturday

Best bet

Ritson v Ponce to go the distance
1pt 5-6 Betfair, Power

Babic to win in rounds one or two
1pt 7-5 Betfair, Power

Big fight preview

Local hero Lewis Ritson goes home to Newcastle to take on Jeremias Ponce in a final eliminator for the IBF super-lightweight world title on Saturday night.

The Sandman was derailed by Francesco Patera in 2018, but he has since got things back on track with a good win over Robbie Davies Jnr.

However, there were more question marks raised after the Newcastle fighter's spilt-decision victory over Miguel Vazquez last year.

Ritson moved up to super-lightweight from lightweight immediately after that defeat to Patera, and from what we have seen so far, it doesn't look as if the Sandman's punching power has been carried through the divisions.

That's a problem for the Tyneside competitor as his defence isn't his strongest suit, and without the power to stop his opponents in their tracks, he can sometimes be left vulnerable.

Perhaps that will lead to a more measured approach on Saturday night and Ponce is certainly worthy of respect.

The Argentinian has mainly been boxing in low-key bouts on home soil, but he is an unbeaten fighter and the 24-year-old will no doubt believe he can upset the odds.

Ponce did step-up in class to take on Rico Mueller in Germany in 2019, and the German had previously been in with Jeff Horn, so that form has a solid enough look to it.

Jere was knocked down in the third round of his previous fight against Jonathan Eniz, but that was a single shot that stunned Ponce and he recovered well to take a points victory.

This looks likely to be a competitive contest and Ponce is rugged and tough enough to see out the 12 rounds. Backing the fight to go the distance and keeping the upset on side looks the way to play.

On the undercard, Joe Laws's whirlwind style will no doubt serve up plenty of excitement and there is also an outing for Ellie Scotney.

Alen Babic should get the job done against the upright style and suspect chin of Damien Chambers. It looks likely that the Savage will finish that bout in the first or second round.

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