Lewis Ritson hopes North-East boxing is ready for lift-off and he wants to be at the forefront of the journey.
The 24-year-old’s crowning glory is only a month away when he defends his British title for the second time when he fights fellow unbeaten lightweight, Paul Hyland Jnr, in Newcastle on Saturday, June 16.
Victory over the Northern Irishman at the Metro Radio Arena would win him the Lonsdale Belt outright AND it would be achieved on home soil.
Ritson, from Forest Hall at the northern tip of Newcastle, is the co-headliner at the venue, alongside undefeated North-East neighbour, Josh Kelly, from Sunderland as Eddie Hearn brings a Matchroom show to the Arena for the first time since 2015. The three main men are pictured above, with Lewis on the left and Josh on the right.
Can Ritson, 15 wins into his career, ‘do a Ricky Hatton’? and have a whole city behind him?
Stockport’s Hitman was headlining the Manchester Arena by his 25th fight and he continued to sell the place out until he retired.
Ritson hopes success inside the ring will mean big-time boxing becoming a regular fixture in his home Toon.
“Definitely, 100 per cent and I hope that’s what Eddie’s planning on doing,” said the Phil Jeffries-managed star.
“It’s a great show and opportunity.
“If I win I’ll get the Lonsdale Belt for keeps and hopefully fight for another title next time and Josh looks like he’s going to keep winning titles.
“So we should keep the big fights coming here.
“I don’t see any reason why the North-East won’t be behind us.”
Hearn has put together a real blockbuster with FIVE title fights, all featuring North-East fellas.
Kelly, recently crowned WBA International welterweight champ, will defend that strap on Tyneside while also trying to win Kris George’s Commonwealth belt.
Elsewhere, Darlington’s Stuart Hall faces Gavin McDonnell (WBC International super-bantamweight champ), South Shields hero Anthony Nelson takes on Charlie Edwards (vacant WBA Continental) and Middlesbrough’s Simon Vallily challenges Arfan Iqbal for the Derby man’s English cruiserweight title.
“To be fair I don’t think me and Josh would be able to sell out the Metro Radio Arena,” added Ritson.
“We’ve had to bring in the other guys as well, but I believe if we keep winning that the shows will keep coming and get bigger and better.
“If we keep winning then it gives the other North-East lads chances.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Ian Horrocks/ Matchroom
