Next stop Newcastle for the Lewis Ritson bandwagon.
And it’s moving it at some pace after a second amazing defence of his British lightweight title, stopping Scotty Cardle in round two in London.
Cardle went into the O2 ring with all guns blazing only to meet the same fate as the previous challenger, Joe Murray.
A booming left hook left the Lytham fighter sagging on the ropes, leading to an eight-count from referee, Bob Williams.
It was only a temporary respite as Ritson returned to the offensive, with Mr Williams ending matters just about the same time as coach Joe Gallagher threw in the towel with his boxer out on his feet.
Promoter Eddie Hearn re-affirmed afterwards that it’s the Metro Radio Arena for the new Geordie hero on Saturday, June 16.
“That’s where I want to be fighting,” the 24-year-old told punch-lines.
“To box in my hometown is going to be very special.”
The Forest Hall hitman wants to tackle the winner of the Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd-Tommy Coyle Commonwealth championship showdown in Liverpool on Saturday, April 21.
The British Boxing Board of Control have, instead, nominated Paul Hyland Jnr as his next challenger.
“I’d love to fight the winner of Masher and Tommy and have a crack at unifying the titles but I leave who I fight to Eddie,” said Ritson.
“I’m just looking forward to boxing at home.”
Ritson is in majestic form, having dished out early TKOs to two of Britain’s top lightweights, men who had never been stopped.
“No-one has done that to them,” said the Phil Jeffries-managed fighter.
“It just shows the level we’re at.”
Hearn wants to see Ritson clinch ownership of the famous Lonsdale Belt in the summer and then he’ll move him on to even higher honours.
“We will fill the Metro Arena in Newcastle on June 16,” said the promoter on Sky Sports.
“One more for Ritson to keep the belt and get the belt on the mantelpiece and then we move on from there.”
Words: Roy Kelly Pictures: Lawrence Lustig/ Matchroom
