Lewis Ritson will hit the heights in his new division, just like he did when he was the British lightweight champion.
So says the man who set the ball rolling on the Sandman’s run of title glory on the eve of Ritson’s crack at the WBA Inter-continental light-welterweight belt.
The 25-year-old Newcastle star tackles Argentina’s German Argentino at the Copper Box Arena on Saturday night.
After making a very good start to his career in Scotland with Billy Nelson, highlighted by World Boxing Council’s Youth Silver lightweight title success, Ritson returned to England after nine victories, to sign for Phil Jeffries.
His career took off after teaming up with Jaffa in a black and white/ red and white alliance, with dad, Davy, doing the coaching at Forest Hall.
After ‘The Sandman’ won the Northern Area title, the Wearside fight figure promised him a shot at the Lonsdale Belt.
Jeffries delivered, as did Ritson who registered four explosive Britosh title wins over Robbie Barrett, Joe Murray, Scotty Cardle and Paul Hyland Jnr.
Francesco Patera upset the applecart in Newcastle last October when he defeated Lewis for the vacant European lightweight title , but Ritson is back and going for a World Boxing Association belt at 10 stones.
“It’s a great first fight at light-welter for Lewis,” Jeffries told punch-lines.
“To be challenging for a title straight away shows his ambitions.
“Lewis wants to be fighting for big titles and this is a brilliant place to start – a huge London show against a very good opponent.
“There was no point standing still, this is a great step forward for him.
“Fanno [coach Neil Fannan] says Lewis has been coming on mint.
“Anyone who thinks Lewis is going to be less effective at this new weight is going to be in for a shock.
“When I signed him I told everyone how good he was going to be and Lewis has been brilliant and there is more to come.”
Ritson came face to face with Benitez at the pre-event media conference 0n Friday (pictured above) and the Geordie did not look as animated as some boxers do at photo time.
But get ready for him to come out fighting on Saturday night.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
