Paul Hyland Jnr’s gaffer warned Lewis Ritson that the Irish were ready to turn the British lightweight championship confrontation in Newcastle into a home fight for the unbeaten Belfast man.
Ritson’s fans have responded … and how.
Within three hours of the tickets arriving the British champion has sold over 500 with 300 more pledges of support, with the potential of even more coming to the Metro Radio Arena on Saturday, June 16.
Mark Dunlop, the manager who has guided Hyland Jnr to the IBF European lightweight title declared that Belfast was preparing for an invasion of Tyneside for the massive Matchroom event.
“There is humungous amount of people who’ve booked their flights and hotels,” Dunlop explained.
“Unless people come out and support Lewis Ritson, it will be home advantage to us in terms of crowd, we’ve got some numbers coming.”
And the answer from Newcastle and the North-East has been emphatic.
The Metro Radio Arena’s capacity is 11,000 and Ritson’s supporters look like filling a significant chunk of it, given the number sold and pledged so far.
In fact, given all five of the title fights have North-East boxers in one of the corners, it would be no surprise if we get somewhere near a full house.
Also on the bill are:
Josh Kelly who attempts to add another major title when his challenges Kris George for the Aussie’s Commonwealth welterweight crown.
Anthony Nelson faces ex-world title challenger Charlie Edwards for the WBA Continental super-flyweight championship.
Stuart Hall looks to re-ignite his career by beating Gavin McDonnell for the WBC International super-bantamweight belt.
Simon Vallily aims to end Arfan Iqbal’s reign as English champ in a fight delayed from February.
Every single one of those bouts looks very ‘live’ especially Ritson v Hyland Jnr.
Ritson has swept through the British lightweight scene like a hurricane, his three title triumphs lasting a combined total of less than 10 rounds.
Hyland’s rise to 18 straight wins has been less sensational though has not been short of drama having beaten Stephen Ormand in an all-Ireland thriller last November, despite suffering a broken jaw.
“This is a fantastic fight, a genuine 50-50 fight,” said Dunlop. “Paul Hyland always finds a way to win.
“He’s not coming to Newcastle for a payday, he’s coming to win the British title.
“I don’t send my boys out for pay days, I send them in to win.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Ian Horrocks/ Matchroom
