It’s fight week for Lewis Ritson and the Sandman says everything is “spot on” for his British lightweight title defence in London.
The 24-year-old fights in the capital for the first time on Saturday night when he puts his belt on the line against Scotty Cardle at the O2.
Having only defended his crown 22 days ago in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it onslaught against Joe Murray, Ritson says he is fit and ready to face the excellent Cardle.
And there are no complaints about being back out so soon, with Eddie Hearn putting him on to support the WBC Silver heavyweight title shoot out between Dillian Whyte and Lucas Browne.
“I think I got four days off (after the win over Murray) and I was picking up my dad one day,” said unbeaten Lewis. “We were just talking and he just said ‘by the way, Matchroom have been on and you are fighting Cardle in three weeks time!’
“I just said ‘no bother’.
“It has been a hard 2018, but a good one as well. I’ve been kept busy!”
Ritson completed the “hard work” as he refers to it in Hartlepool on Friday at the gym of Neil Fannan.
The man who took Michael Hunter to British, Commonwealth and European glory, not to mention an IBF world title fight, has become an integral part of Team Ritson.
“I did my last spar on Thursday and did 10 hard rounds on the pads with Neil on Friday,” he said. “That’s the hard work done.
“I feel spot on, it’s now just about getting the weight down properly, everything’s good.”
Fannan declared that the undefeated Newcastle fighter looked “mint” having worked him hard in the ring and then delivered a tactical masterclass.
The feeling is mutual with Lewis who enjoys his sessions with Fannan. The Poolie coach will be in the corner with Davey Ritson on Saturday night.
“Neil came on board last year,” said the Forest Hall fighter pictured above with Fannan and Ritson Snr. “It’s been magic.
“I worked with Neil a bit before the Robbie Barrett fight but while the Murray bout only last a minute I think you could really see the difference.
“Me and my dad get on great, he’s been training me since the very start.
“He does a load of fitness and bag work, the lads at Forest Hall do a lot on the pads and I come down Neil’s regularly.
“Imran (Naeem) does my hands and we’ve got a good little team around us, so why change it?”
It looks a belting fight, rated 50-50 by Phil Jeffries, who manages Ritson.
His boxer has won all 14 of his contests, eight by stoppage, while Cardle, 28, has lost only once in 23 outings, seven of his 22 victories coming early.
Words: Roy Kelly
