Davies gets Argentinian test to cement rise to No.8 in the world

Fresh from his recent stoppage win over normally durable Finn, Jarkko Putkonen, for the WBA continental super-lightweight title in Liverpool in March, rising scouse star Robbie Davies jnr. gets an early chance to defend the belt against another highly rated opponent – Argentina’s WBA Fedebol super-lightweight champion, Xavier Luques Castillo – in Wigan at the end of the month.

Scheduled for a suite at the town’s football stadium – the first time the venue has hosted boxing - Castillo is yet another significant step up in class for the hard-hitting and likeable 26-year old who is fast fulfilling his 2015 promise to both stay busy and, results dependant, continue his rapid and upward rise through the rankings.

Recently elevated to no. 8 in the world by the WBA, just one position behind former world champion Ricky Burns, Davies, trained by Dave Tonks in Liverpool, said: “The win over Putkonen was my ninth early stoppage win from 12 fights. I know I’m the hardest hitter in the division domestically. That’s why none of the lads supposedly ranked above me want to face me, but I need to get the rounds in and, in Castillo – who is Argentinian champion – I’m looking to get them. Saying that, if I get another early stoppage win then I won’t be complaining.”

The domestic super-lightweight division is certainly hotting up at present and a win for either Burns, who faces Italian Michele De Rocco – the current European champion - in Glasgow on 21 May for the WBA world title, the same night Willie Limond faces Tyrone Nurse for the British crown, could set up Davies for a contest against any of them. They are all chances he would relish.

“I know I’m ready for these sort of fights and, provided I beat Castillo, I would take them no problem. Whether they agree or not is the big question though isn’t it? There isn’t a super-lightweight in the country who hits as hard as me so I think it’d be a big risk for them – any of them. If they [the fights] can be made then I’m confident I would win. If they can’t be made, then that’s no problem either. My manager, Neil Marsh, has got me a good title and to no. 8 in the world - there are plenty of other options out there for me.”

Castillo, a native of Cordoba, near the geographical centre of Argentina, is a year older than Davies and, since turning pro in 2012, has 15 wins, five early, from 20 contests. Stopped only once, in December 2013, he won his country’s super-lightweight crown in devastating fashion in July last year – stopping 19-0 Mauro Godoy in the first round.

Davies heads a three-fight show at the DW Stadium, Wigan, on Saturday 30 April, which also features the return of unbeaten super-bantamweight Kid Galahad. Kirkham welterweight, Adam Little, and Preston’s heavyweight hope, Bill Hodgson, complete the card. All tables have been sold with £30 tickets available from the venue and Robbie Davies: @RobbieDaviesJr, Dave Tonk:s: @TonkGym, Adam Little: @adamlittle12, Bill Hodgson: @billhodgson1 and Alan Levene: @alanlevene