Lewis Ritson will challenge the cream of the light-welterweight scene.
So says coach Neil Fannan following the news of his move up a division, having been Britain’s undefeated lightweight champion.
The Newcastle fighter had been scheduled to make the fourth defence of the Lonsdale Belt against Andy Townend in London on Saturday, March 23, only to inform the British Boxing Board of Control his lightweight days were over.
Ritson was always, in boxing speak, big for the weight as proven by the way he blitzed all four opponents in his British championship battles – the last three title affairs taking a total of only four rounds.
Fannan told punch-lines this week that he believes ‘The Sandman’ will carry his weight up to the 140lb category now he is not fighting a battle with the scales.
“Lewis will be in some terrific fights, proper fights,” declared Fannan.
“When he fights at his proper, full-strength he will take some beating.”
Fannan says there will be “no rush” at light-welter, nor does there need to be given he is only 25.
But there are no worries over what the Phil Jeffries-managed ace can do, according to the Hartlepool trainer.
“People know that I’ve never called anyone out,” he said. “But Lewis will fight anyone out there.
“Robbie Davies? Joe Hughes? Why not?
“Any of them fights are good for us, they are the fights we want.”
No opponent has yet been announced for the Forest Hall star at the Copper Box Arena on March 23, when Matchroom promote a packed bill, where Ritson-Townend had been due to be one of four title contests.
“I’m in no rush with Lewis and I want to let him develop [as a light-welter],” said Fannan.
“But we don’t expect an easy one, or want one, Lewis had been training for a 12-round title fight.”
Eddie Hearn has assembled a quality show at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Headliner is Charlie Edwards who makes the maiden defence of his WBC Flyweight title against Spain’s Angel Moreno.
Barrow’s Liam Conroy takes on Rio bronze medallist, Josua Buatsi, for the British light-heavy crown while there is a local derby as capital residents Lawrence Okolie (Hackney) and Wadi Camacho (Canning Town) meet in an all-London British and Commonwealth cruiserweight confrontation.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Lawrence Lustig
