Ryan: from 4 round novice to champion in one massive leap

Griffiths (right) beats Morris. Picture: MSN Images/BCB Promotions

RYAN Griffiths has risen so fast through the rankings, it’s a wonder he hasn’t succumbed to a boxing equivalent of decompression sickness, the bends.

The 23-year-old, from BCB’s buoyant and burgeoning stable, has achieved something remarkable.

Earlier this month, Ryan, with no amateur background, with only four pro bouts to his name, having never gone beyond four rounds, stepped down two weight classes, and took the Midlands featherweight title.

No easing into undemanding six and eight rounders, the Black Country boxer was plunged into the 10 round championship distance against a live and dangerous opponent.

Lewis Morris was favoured to take the vacant belt, but Griffiths captured a 96-94 decision.

That’s a real Rocky story – and now Ryan, from Dudley, wants more.

“My coach Paul Mann said, ‘you’ve climbed Everest, now look at climbing Mount Kilimanjaro’,” Griffiths told me.

“I didn’t think, four rounds in, I’d be getting a Midlands title – I’m just someone from the white collar. But now I’m on top I might as well stay on top.”

I’ve been referring to Griffiths as one to watch for some time. His performance against Morris at The Hangar, Wolverhampton, added considerable weight to my words.

He’s a nice, grounded lad away from the ring. And Ryan is certainly a grafter: as well as the gym stints, he holds down two day jobs – one with Tesco, the other in Dudley Council’s sports and leisure sector.

He is now dreaming big and pondering a number of avenues to further ring glory.

It’s unclear whether Ryan, considered a full blown lightweight before facing Morris, will stay at feather.

It’s unclear if he’ll bow to calls for an immediate rematch with Morris, who is possibly cursing the fact he let Griffiths pocket the early rounds. Lewis, from Walsall, came on strong down the stretch, but opened the throttle too late.

Ryan said: “After that fight, I believe I could have a future down in the featherweight division. All through training I felt good, I didn’t feel lethargic and my manager Errol (Johnson) said in sparring I looked strong.

“I didn’t feel tired on the night, so I might be continuing.”

Griffiths’ victory may have surprised many, but he entered the contest with supreme confidence.

“Before the fight, I had no butterflies,” he said. “I didn’t know if that was a good or bad thing – nerves can either break you or feed you. For the first time, I felt totally comfortable.

“The plan was to start fast and getter stronger through the rounds. Although he had more experience, I felt I had the more experienced corner – I had Paul Mann who has done it many, many times.

“I was winning the fight on my jab alone. Eighth, ninth and 10th, I did feel a bit tired and let Lewis finish stronger. From round one to seven I felt completely fine, after that I slowed down a little bit.

“He (Morris) is calling for the rematch. He thought he won and wants to right a wrong. He went on radio and said the same as he said to me, he started slower, but finished stronger.

“I’ve gone from four to 10 rounds and thought I’d like to do a six and eight rounder. But it’s down to what my boss (Errol Johnson) decides.”

Not surprisingly, Griffiths’ self-belief had rocketed and he wants more titles. Appearances on major televised shows are not yet a priority, however.

“Some of the most talented fighters in Britain train at my gym,” he said. “I think, ‘if they can do it, I can do it’.

“Now, if I got a place on TV shows, I’d be in the prelims, I’d be fighting in an empty stadium. It’s not the big time.

“But at the Hangar the atmosphere was amazing, completely different from anything TV offers.”

And Ryan is not only motivated by titles.

He added: “Every fighter is chasing glory, but we’re also all chasing money.”