A question to open up with: did you stick it out to the end of Summer Rumble 6?
If you did, you will have caught sight of a powerful, raw young fella with a great jab. The picture might have given the answer away, but the boxer who closed the show at the Stadium of Light that Sunday evening was Lewis Ritson.
Just two years on, Ritson is a boxer with the world at his feet following three knock-out British lightweight championship defences under his black and white belt.
And talking of belts, he has clinched the famous Lonsdale Belt for his dad in just 593 seconds.
His manager and the daddy of the annual Summer Rumble has told the nine North-East boxers taking to the ring at the home of Sunderland AFC on Sunday, July 1 that they should aspire to being the next Lewis Ritson.
“What Lewis has done gives the lads who are on our shows,” said Jeffries.
“Lewis has shown that dreams can come true to boxers who are on ticket deals.
“His first bout for me was at the Stadium of Light and just look where he is now?
“Lewis Ritson is the most-talked about fighter in British boxing at the present time.
“Glenn Foot has been on ticket deals and he is now the Commonwealth champion and he’s going to add the British title this year I’m convinced of that.
“Fair play to these boxers who come through Team GB in Sheffield, they are great lads.
“But Lewis and Footy, who were both fantastic amateur fighters, have shown not is possible to come through.
“You look at Lewis, Glenn, Josh Kelly, they’ve got the North-East boxing scene booming.
“Me and Steve Wraith have nine good lads on at Summer Rumble 8 and they know there is a route to stardom from these shows. We are very excited by the talent we have on at the Stadium of Light.”
Two new pros from Newcastle take to the ring for the first time, Birtley ABC entertainer Joe Laws and Forest Hall’s Terry Wilkinson who comes out of the Ritson stable.
Imran Naeem boxer, Terry Tyers, will make his third appearance.
Teesside is represented by the Dave Binns-trained Hill brothers, Joe and ‘One Bomb’ himself Tom.
Three more Newcastle fighters are in action, Chris Atkinson having is second bout and Lawrence Osueke and Kris Pilkington their fourth.
Top ‘turn’ will be Darren Surtees who is making a much-anticipated return after a year out.
The Dave Binns talent has been inactive since stopping Ross Jamson for the Northern Area light-welterweight belt in May, 2017.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
