Lewis Ritson has been handed Poland’s version of the Sandman for the second defence of his WBA Inter-continental belt.
The 25-year-old Geordie will be taking on Marek Jedrzejewski in Liverpool on Friday night following the withdrawal of Joe Hughes from the 10-round light-weltertweight contest.
Jedrzejewski is not only a tricky name to type but he is going to be a difficult opponent for Ritson to master.
The Pole, as the first sentence suggested, has knock-outs as his specialised subject on Mastermind.
Jedrzejewski’s record has only two defeats, but here are the key figures, of his 14 wins, 13 have been inside the distance.
He has completed only 57 rounds, compared to Ritson’s 89 from three more bouts – and we thought ‘The Sandman’ enjoyed putting folk to sleep.
It has been a frustrating week for Ritson and coach Neil Fannan whose preparations had been for a ‘battle of Britain’ with Hughes.
Matters have been further complicated by a chopping and changing of substitute for the JDNXTGEN show at the Exhibition Centre
as Fannan told punch-lines.
“I think the lad is the fifth opponent we’ve been offered and accepted,” shrugged the legendary Hartlepool fight figure.
“I’m sick of watching footage of different boxers.
“What I’ve seen of this lad he looks pretty useful.
“I found only two bits on the internet and one of them is him knocking out a fighter who was eight and won eight!
“He looks a good finisher as you would figure – in this fight he clipped his opponent and then got him out of there. When he has you on the hook, he won’t let you off.”
The one consolation to Team Ritson is the 29-year-old, while clearly a great danger, is a man accustomed to boxing at lightweight. Mind you, the Forest Hall fighter is hardly a veteran at 10 stones – his title win over German Benitez back in March was his debut as a light-welter.
“He has taken the fight at two-day’s notice so obviously he is fit and been in training,” said Fannan. “He will be a good opponent.”
Ritson-Jedrzejewski is part of a packed programme screened by Sky and headlined by Anthony Fowler v Brian Rose.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins/ Hartlepool Life
