Griffiths gets his big break and admits it’s his toughest pro test

Ryan Griffiths…up against a real banger. Pic: Manjit Narotra/BCB

“FOR a Dudley lad, what I’ve done is amazing, surreal really,” Ryan Griffiths grinned with a degree of merited self-satisfaction.

What he’s done is risen from the wilderness of white collar boxing to become a respected pro champion. “There’s only Lennox Clarke (former British super-middle champ), Fabio Wardley (world class heavyweight) and me,” the 24-year-old pointed out with pride.

Griffiths’ story is about to get bigger. On January 24, The Midlands featherweight titleholder will face Nelson Birchall – a 21-year-old being groomed for stardom – in his big TV arena debut.

At stake on Queensberry’s Co-Op Arena Live, Manchester, show topped by heavyweight sensation Moses Itauma is the Commonwealth Youth title at super-featherweight – four pounds above Griffiths’ championship weight.

It’s taken Ryan 12 fights for a potential breakthrough already paid for in blood and bruises.

And few give Ryan a prayer. Morecambe’s Birchall was a superb amateur who has won all nine professional fights, the last three inside the first round. He is being prepared for big things by Frank Warren.

Ryan admitted: “This will be my toughest and my first real test against a southpaw.”

But it is also Birchall’s toughest test – and how often have we seen prospects fall apart against live opponents after being fed overmatched opposition?

Is he a monster or a myth? That question will be answered by Griffiths who this year emerged as both a seasoned pro and Black Country warrior: he went to the well in 2025.

Ryan drew with Lewis Morris and Jack Dillingham in gruelling Midlands title defence and pushed Umar Khan all the way in a bid for the world youth belt.

Griffiths knows what it’s like to fight in the trenches, Birchall does not. Those who see him as a lamb ripe for slaughter have sorely underestimated Griffiths.

Ryan said: “He’s Queensberry’s next superstar, it’s in the script for him to beat me, he’s the one under pressure. But I’m coming to win, I’m coming there to give it 100 per cent. There’s a lot more pressure on him than me.

“If I lose – heavy forbid, I’ll go back down to featherweight and still have my titles. There are still a lot of roads to go down. And not having to lose those last four pounds is really going to help.”

I agree. Griffiths is a big feather who, in my view, appeared to have lost his edge against Morris. Making super-feather won’t be a picnic, but will be less torturous.

This is his big opportunity.

“It’s a long time coming,” Griffiths said. “I’m not scared of nobody, I’ll never say no to a fight, I’ll fight anybody.

“I’ll have to miss a lot – Christmas, my birthday is on December 28, but the sacrifices will be worth it when that cheque comes through the post, I’ll celebrate Christmas in January.”

For Birchall, Griffiths is his coming-of-age contest. For Griffiths, Birchall is his ticket to the big time.

Griffiths has been there – in boxing’s dark championship places – and pulled through. They are places Birchall is yet to visit, but Ryan is hellbent on taking the prospect to them on January 24.