Lewis Ritson faces a Battle of Britain on his return to the boxing ring, battle being the key word.
The 24-year-old will defend his British lightweight title for the fourth time when he meets Yorkshire’s Andy Townend at the Metro Radio Arena on Saturday, March 23.
Ritson, who has not fought since losing for the first time in October, joked there would be “sore heads “ the morning after this tussle when he mentioned the Newcastle showdown on social media.
The Lonsdale Belt holder is not wrong – Townend loves knocking foes out as much as the champion. The 29-year-old will never be taken to Trading Standards for his moniker, ‘The KO Kid’.
Townend, beaten only four times in 26 outings, has won 14 of his 22 victories inside the distance, thanks to his explosive power.
His KO percentage is edged by Ritson whose eight straight stoppage wins since signing for Phil Jeffries and returning to the North-East from Scotland was rudely interrupted by Francesco Patera at the Metro Radio Arena exactly three months ago.
The cool customer, from Belgium, arrived as the outsider for the clash for the vacant European title but promptly left with the belt after taking a split decision.
As punch-lines reported in the aftermath of his first defeat in 18 contests, ‘The Sandman’ was always likely to return with a British title defence.
The 25-year-old is now based in Hartlepool to work even closer with coach Neil Fannan, though dad, Davy, of course, remains an integral member of the training team.
Fannan, currently training Tommy Ward for his world title eliminator, has been highly impressed with not only the work-rate shown by Lewis but his attitude.
“I’d given Lewis a date I told him we’d be stepping up his training,” he told punch-lines. “But Lewis said ‘Tommy’s already in now so I’ll start now’.
“I can’t fault him in any way, he has listened and took on board everything.
“He’s out running on the beach and he said to me the other day he’s done more running in the last five weeks than the rest of his career.
“Lewis is on a university-produced diet plan, everything we are doing he knows we are doing for a reason.
“I’ve noticed Lewis Ritson’s name gets bandied around a lot less these days, but I’m confident you’ll see an even better Lewis Ritson in 2019.”
Team Ritson would, doubtless, love another crack at Patera, but it’s Townend first on Matchroom’s third visit to Tyneside inside 10 months.
“We knew it would be Andy, he’s the mandatory challenger,” added Fannan. “We know all about him and he deserves his shot.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
