Jim Watt believes Ryan Rhodes will have no trouble with Luca Messi on Friday Fight Night
Jim predicts a comfortable victory for the European champ
Ryan Rhodes makes his long awaited return to the ring on Friday Fight Night against Luca Messi in the first defence of his European light middleweight title.
It is almost eight months since Ryan knocked out Jamie Moore in a thrilling match at the Bolton Arena to win the belt.
He was a real underdog going into that fight. I, like many other people, thought Ryan Rhodes' world class days were behind him. I didn't think he would beat Moore and I was even more convinced when I was sat at ringside.
He tore up all the plans you would have expected him to go in with, he stood with Jamie and produced a world-class performance.
Ryan's new promoter Ricky Hatton has described him as 'world-class' and if he continues to box like that then there's no question about it.
Rhodes had hoped his next fight would be for a world title but unfortunately that's not to be.
Provided he hangs onto his European title - which he should do - hopefully his next fight will be for a world title. The WBC look kindly upon the European champion.
Nothing special
Looking ahead to Friday Fight Night I hope Ryan's learnt from his underdog victory over Moore not to take Messi lightly.
There is nothing special about Messi (36-8) and any time he has stepped up a level he has lost, but Ryan (43-4) shouldn't take him lightly.
However, having said that, his title should be safe on Friday night. Messi's recent opponents haven't been very good and they have obviously been looking after him to try and manoeuvre him into a title fight, which they've managed to do.
If Messi was good enough to beat Ryan Rhodes we would have seen that by now - he is 35 - and we would be raving about him, but we're not.
For Ryan it is also a homecoming fight. He is a Sheffield boy and he is certain to get a good reception.
He has always been good to watch, he has a good style, is never involved in messy or untidy fights, he is a sharp puncher and I'm really looking forward to it myself.
Future
Ryan is at a good stage in his career now. It has been a long career but now he doesn't worry like he did when he was younger. At his age - 33 - every chance you treat like your last chance.
He hasn't had too many wars, too many punishing fights, so he is still relatively fresh. He is so relaxed and because of that he is really boxing well and showing some great form.
There's a possibility the WBC belt could become vacant after the champion Sergio Martinez stepped up and beat Kenny Pavlik at middleweight.
If he decides to stick at that level then Ryan is pretty high on the rankings so it is not out of the question he could be fighting for the vacant title.
If he has to fight Martinez then he certainly wouldn't be favourite but if Martinez vacated then he would have a chance against other contenders like Julio Cesar Chavez jnr - who is ranked number one, though nobody knows why - or Antonio Margarito.
But if you're going to box for a world title you will be against someone who can fight. Hopefully Ryan Rhodes will get that opportunity soon.
