Lewis Ritson faces off with Jeremias Ponce at final press conference

Lewis Ritson vs. Jeremias Ponce

Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastle, England 12/6/21

Lewis Ritson squared off with Jeremias Ponce at their final press conference on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s IBF super-lightweight title final eliminator.

Ritson (21-1, 12 KOs) faces Ponce (27-0, 17 KOs) at the Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastle on Saturday, with the event broadcast live on Sky Sports and on DAZN.

Elsewhere on the bill, undefeated Thomas Patrick Ward returns against Edy Valencia Mercado, while fan favourite Joe Laws takes on Chris Adaway.

The press conference took place on Thursday, and Ritson, Ward and Laws were all extremely confident of getting their hands raised.

Ritson said: “We’ll get past Ponce and then it’s what everyone dreams of after that. We’ll see the best of me on Saturday. It’s the most relaxed and best I’ve felt for a while.

“In the last fight, no fans meant I was a bit flat, but it will be an explosive performance this weekend. I’m still only 27 and I’ve not taken much punishment in my career, so now I’m ready for the big fights.

“Me and Ponce won’t have to go looking for each other. It will be a hard fight but one that I know I can get through. It will arguably be my biggest and toughest fight, but I’m up for the challenge.

“I have trained very hard, and the 1000 fans that are in attendance will be in for a treat on Saturday.”

Ward said: “Last time out it wasn’t my best performance, but this Saturday you’ll see a different Tommy Ward.

“I got a bad cut in my last fight, but we’ve got stitched up and I’m ready to go. I’m not looking past Saturday, I’ve got a tough opponent in front of me that will give it his all, but I’m looking to make a statement.

“I’ve been rated highly for a long time and I’m pushing on for world title fights. I want to win here and then smash up some of these world champions that don’t want to fight me.

We’ve got the fans back too which is great. We have 1000 in, but it will sound like 10,000. The fans here get behind the fighters and they will enjoy the show.”

Laws said: “I can’t wait. Chris Adaway is a game competitor and goes in there against prospects and has one hell of a go, so I’m looking to put on a show and get back to winning ways.

“I asked myself a lot of questions over Christmas about whether I want this, and I do. Come Saturday I can’t wait to go out there and get back in the mix.

“We’re in the best city in the world and the crowds are back and the nervous energy feeds me, so bring it on. I’ve just signed with MTK Global and they’re going to push me, and now I’m back physically and mentally.”

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