Lewis Ritson delivered a timely reminder of his light-welterweight credentials with thumping defence of his WBA Inter-continental championship with a third-round stoppage of Marek Jedrzejewski.
The Newcastle hero, resplendent in his traditional black and white, knocked the Pole black and blue at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool.
Ritson sent Jedrzejewski to the canvas with an accurate body shot in the third and while the 29-year-old got back to his feet, he was soon taking further heavy shots, prompting referee Howard Foster to intervene.
It was the second defence of this World Boxing Association belt, having beaten the tough German Benitez bacon March on points in London.
Ritson, coach Neil Fannan, Lewis’s dad, Davey, boss Phil Jeffries and fellow cornerman, Imran Naeem, had been confident of a better performance on Merseyside. And so it proved, with ‘The Sandman’ showing what a good finisher he is after an excellent opening couple of rounds.
While it was a fight Ritson was heavy favourite for it could not be described as a forgone conclusion.
The Pole came to Merseyside with a cracking record of 14 wins from 16 appearances with 13 of the victories coming inside the distance.
He also had absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Ritson worked to the body from the opening bell but it was nice to see him moving and sending out that power jab of his.
The Forest Hall man’s accuracy was a key factor and there was no rush either, it was patient and very precise.
He started the third round confidently and controlled the session before a straight left to the body took the wind out of Jedrzejewski.
The Pole was soon up but Ritson went to work with what must have been 20 unanswered punches in the neutral corner and Mr Foster made the correct call.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Dave Thompson/ Matchroom
