Ryan could be Top Boxer’s dark horse

Ryan Griffiths poses for the cameras after beating Vincent

RYAN Griffiths is the dark horse of the Tommy Owens’ Top Boxer tournament – and I’m surprised he’s not been installed as one of the hot favourites to take the £6,000 prize.

I’m sure slipping under the radar will suit the Dudley 22-year-old who is compact, aggressive and possesses a powerful left hook.

On Saturday at Planet Ice, Solihull, Ryan eased into the competition’s semi-finals with no fuss, no frills victory over Dorset’s Stefan Vincent.

That’s the way it should be in such knockout tournaments. The goal is to come through each contest unscathed and press your foot a little harder on the pedal as the competition progresses.

Ryan will now face DJ Tollerton in the last four. Tollerton booked his place following an absolute war with Danny Williams and emerged from that small hall classic with a gashed right eye.

There was only one moment of drama for Griffiths against Vincent. His glove touched the canvas after a right hand connected in the second and a standing count given.

Ryan wasn’t hurt and got straight back in the driver’s seat when action resumed. But the count prevented whitewash victory for Griffiths, who had to settle for a 39-38 scoreline.

Vincent, who lost for the fourth time in five, pinned his hopes on wild right hands and his leaky defence was pierced by crips shots from the opening seconds.

By the third, Ryan was working the body and landed clumping rights in the last.

He and Tollerton – tall and with a trip-hammer left hook – could well be the best bout of the semi-finals.