Risk-taker Ryan gets surprise title chance

Ryan Griffiths…fights for Midlands feather title in Wolverhampton

RYAN Griffiths is a fledgling fighter who believes in taking risks.

After only two pro outings, he chanced his arm in the Top Boxer tournament, a knockout competition of three round bouts where the form book is often shredded. Not many would risk their 0s in such mayhem engagements.

It was a roll of the dice that worked for Griffiths who emerged with a points win, although he took a count.

Now the Dudley lightweight is poised for another massive leap into the unknown. After only four paid outings and having gone no farther than four rounds, the 23-year-old faces Lewis Morris for the vacant Midlands featherweight title.

The pair meet in a mouthwatering Black Country derby on BCB’s big bill at the Hangar, Wolverhampton, on March 8.

It’s another massive statement of faith by Griffiths. Walsall Morris – out of Richie Carter’s stable – has won eight of nine and has travelled the six round distance. The 22-year-old appears to hold all the aces.

His only loss came over four rounds against the highly unorthodox Tatenda Mangombe. He’s bounced back in style from that setback with two comprehensive wins.

Griffiths admitted: “It was a bit of a shock (getting the title fight). He has a lot more rounds, but Errol (BCB boss Errol Johnson) clearly sees something in me. He’s done a six rounder and had more rounds, but I think I’ll be up for it more.”

“And I’m really up for this. Me and Lewis have only sparred one round together, but the common denominator is Gully Powar (Richie Carter’s super-bantam) because we’ve both done quite a few rounds with him.”

Griffiths believes in taking risks.

“Look at the things I did,” he said. “I entered myself in a prizefighter type tournament at lightweight after two bouts, now I’m jumping down two weight classes. I’ll take the chances. I’ve shown I’m gutsy and ballsy.

“I’m working in silence for this one. Usually you put stuff on social media, you put pictures of working the bag. I’m keeping my head down and getting to work.

“The 10 rounds doesn’t really bother me. I’ve done six rounds a lot in sparring with Kane Baker and I was sparring nine rounds for the prizefighter tournament because there was the possibility of three, three round contests on the night.”

Griffiths stressed there was no beef with Morris. It’s strictly business.

He said: “Lewis is a nice lad, it’s just a case of he’s in my way. After I beat him, maybe we can be mates again.”