For a fighter who has made early finishes his trademark, here is a shock for you.
There will be no more rushing for Lewis Ritson. Though that’s not to say there might not still be a KO or two, just before you start panicking.
Ritson, who will make the second defence of his WBA Inter-continental belt against Poland’s Marek Jedrzejewski in Liverpool on Friday evening, will be journeying at his own pace, says manager Phil Jeffries.
Punch-lines caught up with Jaffa, the Sunderland half of this highly-successful red and white/ black and white alliance to check on the situation of ‘The Sandman’, who was announced as an MTK Global signing around the same time as boxer and manager had signed a three-year contract extension.
“MTK will be working with us in an advisory capacity and I’m delighted with the move,” the Wearsider told us. “I’m still his manager and Matchroom are still his promoters.
“But it’s great to link up with MTK, they are called MTK Global for a reason, they are everywhere.
“They have some of the best boxers anywhere on their books, some great plans and are expanding all the time.”
Ultimately, Team Ritson’s direction is going to be down to Lewis, dad Davey, Jeffries and coach Neil Fannan.
Read about Lewis Ritson’s fight in Liverpool here.
“Lewis is a great light-welterweight talent and we are not going to rush,” insisted Jaffa. “There will be no burn-out.
“Him and Fanno have gelled really well and Lewis is coming along great with him.
“When Fanno says it is time to move him then that’s the time he’ll move.”
Lewis signed for Jeffries three years ago following the end of his time in Scotland under the tutelage of Billy Nelson.
And the Forest Hall hitter has enjoyed a tumultuous rise – from small hall shows to a capacity Metro Radio Arena in the space of a couple of years.
“I’ve known Davey for years,” said Jaffa. “Lewis’s time in Scotland did not work out as well as he’d hoped and Davey said he wanted to come home.
“I told them I’d get Lewis a British title shot and I did and not only did Lewis win it, he had the Lonsdale Belt in no time.”
No time is putting it politely, as defences against Joe Murray, Scott Cardle and Paul Hyland were completed in a total of four rounds.
That brought a tilt at the vacant European title last October against Francesco Patera, with the Belgian spoiling the party in Newcastle with a split decision points win.
Since then, Ritson has rested (briefly) before going full-time with Fannan in his Hartlepool gym (pictured above), while moving up to light-welter, winning the WBA Inter-continental belt back in March against German Benitez in London.
“I blame myself for the Patera fight,” said Jaffa. “He’d been on a ticket deal just a couple of years back but then things went at a million miles an hour.
“Now there will be no rush, we’ll do things at the right time.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins/ Hartlepool Life
