Lewis Ritson against Josh Taylor open air at a sell-out St James’s Park next summer and on pay-per-view? Can you imagine it?
Eddie Hearn already is and he is a man who pulls these things off in boxing.
Much must still happen first. The ‘Tartan Tornado’ must win his world title spectacular in London next Saturday against Regis Prograis to set the ball rolling and then both parties must agree to it.
That it is on the agenda at all is down to the fact that Ritson produced the performance and win of his career in Newcastle against Robbie Davies Jnr.
All three judges scored the WBA world title eliminator for the 26-year-old, 116-112 (twice) and 117-112, to send the capacity crowd at the Utilita Arena into ecstasy and to set Hearn’s mind towards Newcastle United’s cathedral.
“Ritson v Taylor at St James’s Park? Anything could happen,” said the Matchroom chief.
“Ritson’s a strong boy, a strong puncher, he should be at the Taylor-Prograis fight on Saturday shouting that one out!
“Lewis has got options, he could fight back here in February or March, Chris Algieri is a good name, that kind of fight could be good for him.
“But, for me, it’s Taylor at St James’s Park, the money would change his life and think of the legacy.
“It would be a night the city would never forget – to put on a world championship event at St James’s Park would be amazing.
“Lewis Ritson is one of their own, this is not a guy from Newcastle who trains out in Miami, this is a guy they see down the shops, that’s why they love him.
“The opportunity was lost before [after losing to Patera] so I’d love to make the most of this one but I need to speak to his team.”
Davies Jnr was good. Very good in fact.
Booed into the arena as the pantomime villain following the summer spat between the rivals, which inspired the tagline Bad Blood, he left to deserved applause. But he could not get the better of the Neil Fannan-trained fighter.
Round one was like a Rocky fight as both men landed with meaty shots and it was the same in the third – Ritson would land some beauties but, invariably, Davies would come back with shots of his own.
The second and fourth featured a lot of close-quarter stuff and Ritson was forced to defend and defend well against the Scouser who boxed with ambition.
After such a breathless first third of the bout, it was noticeable the pace eased, slightly, in the sixth and those middle rounds were less ferocious they were close affairs.
When Ritson was made to cover up in the ninth, you wondered if Davies was about to come on strong in the home straight.
Ritson had the answer and firmly in his favour.
You saw ‘The Sandman’ make Davies miss twice in the 10th (yes, you read that right), while he put together some quality shots in the 11th and the last saw him ‘put it on’ his enemy who came back with shots of his own.
Punch-lines had Ritson ahead with daylight at Jim Holborn’s last bell, so did others, though some had Davies up, including the renowned Boxing News writer, John Dennen. But all three judges marked it for Ritson, sparking wild scenes.
Roll on St James’s Park.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
