Lewis Ritson will have to wait a little longer to box again in front of his Geordie public.
‘The Sandman’ will make the fourth defence of his British lightweight title in our great nation’s capital on Saturday, March 23, rather than in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Punch-lines reported last month that Ritson would clash with the ‘KO Kid’ Andy Townend at the Metro Radio Arena.
Alas, this website was only 66 per cent right – it is Townend on March 23, but it will be in London instead.
Matchroom tonight announced that Charlie Edwards will make the first defence of his WBC flyweight championship against Spain’s Angel Moreno at the Copper Box Arena, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US.
Edwards was a winner at the Metro Radio Arena last June against Anthony Nelson for the WBA Continental super-flyweight title and he quickly built on that by taking the World Boxing Council’s world belt from Cristofer Rosales at The O2 Arena in London in December.
Edwards will head the show at the Queen Elizabeth II Olympic Park venue in March, with Ritson v Townend providing what is likely to be an explosive British showdown.
The 25-year-old lost for the first time in 18 pro fights when he was beaten on a split decision by Francesco Patera for the vacant European title last October.
A return to the square ring for the British championship is the sensible return and will be faced with mandatory contender Townend who, like Ritson, knocks people out for fun.
The Wakefield fighter has won 22 of his 26 contests, 14 inside the distance.
Promoter Eddie Hearn has assembled some cast list.
Undefeated light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi will on Barrow’s Northern Area and English champ Liam Conroy for the vacant British.
Another Rio Olympian, Lawrence Okolie, will have a London cruiserweight derby against Wadi Camacho for the British and Commonwealth belts.
“This is a great show,” said Eddie Hearn.
“A new hero of British boxing defending his world title in Charlie Edwards, with three brilliant British title clashes on the undercard.
“Everybody resonated with the story of Charlie Edwards after his memorable performance at The O2 in December. He makes his first defence of his title against seasoned pro Angel Moreno.
“Joshua Buatsi fights for the British title against the inform Liam Conroy, which is a significant step up. Lawrence Okolie finally gets the chance to fight Wadi Camacho for the British and Commonwealth titles after the all of the bad blood.
“Lewis Ritson returns from his disappointing defeat to defend his British title against big-punching Andy Townsend in what will be a brutal shootout, and there’s plenty more to be added to this stacked card.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
