Lewis Ritson was a notable absentee from the top table in London this week.
The British champion missed the media conference which launched Charlie Edwards’ maiden defence of his WBC flyweight belt against Angel Moreno at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday, March 23 plus packed undercard.
Ritson was not AWOL, he had a legitimate excuse – he was flying to the USA where he is supporting Tommy Ward in bis WBO world super-bantamweight eliminator, as well as doing some training in New York and Kansas.
While ‘The Sandman’ was not at the Grange City Hotel ahead of Matchroom’s bumper bill he’s looking forward to getting back on boxing’s big table on March 23, when he faces Wakefield’s Andy Townend.
“It’s great to be back,” the Phil Jeffries –managed Geordie told punch-lines. “I thought it was going to be in Newcastle, but that’s not the case.
“Andy can bang a bit, he loves to get stuck in, but to beat him you have to give him stick back.
“[Manager] Stefy Bull and Andy fancy the job but so do we.
“If Andy comes to fight as we know he does and I come to fight then I think you will see fireworks and I don’t think the three judges will be needed!”
That is for March 23, for now Ritson is in the Big Apple, where he trained yesterday at Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, while today he has been in the Mendez Gym, where trainer Neil Fannan put him through his paces.
So, did the 25-year-old always fancy a run out to the USA?
“I had no choice in the matter, Neil just said ‘you are going’,” laughed the Newcastle hero, who will spar world light-welterweight title challenger Mikkel LesPierre on Saturday.
“I’m looking forward to my sparring and then a Tommy win in Kansas will put the icing on the cake.”
Ritson, pictured top right in Times Square with Team Ward, is just part of a huge Eddie Hearn bill at the Olympic Park, which will be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in America.
He defends his lightweight belt for the fourth time, while higher up the weight scale, there is a light-heavyweight British championship confrontation between Londoner Joshua Buatsi and Barrow boy Liam Conroy and there is an all-capital cruiser confrontation between rivals Lawrence Okolie and Wadi Camacho, with both British and Commonwealth belts on offer.
Adam Smith, Head of Sky Sports Boxing, told the media conference: “Lewis is terrific value for money every single time.
“He’s got to prove himself again after not quite making it at European level but he’s got a very exciting fight against Andy Townend – that should be all action.
“It’s going to be a really good show and well done to Eddie for putting it together.”
Words: Roy Kelly
