Patience is not a word you would expect to find in the Lewis Ritson dictionary.
Just thinking about that ninth-month whirlwind British lightweight championship tour of Manchester (twice), London and Newcastle will confirm that.
You’ll recall Ritson required just over half-an-hour inside the ropes in acquiring the Lonsdale Belt after spectacular stoppage victories over Robbie Barrett, Joe Murray, Scotty Cardle and Paul Hyland.
Now, of course, because of the corona virus pandemic, it’s not only boxing and sport which has ground to a halt, but every day life.
After that terrific points victory over Robbie Davies Jnr back in October (a win which catapulted him to number two in the WBA ratings) Lewis and his team had hoped 2020 would be the year the Forest Hall favourite would get ever nearer a world championship fight.
But patience has had to be exercised.
A showdown with former world title holder Miguel Vazquez, set for early April, then June, has been postponed until October 17.
Hopefully that interesting match with the Mexican will happen on the anniversary weekend of that outstanding display against his arch-rival.
Some may hanker after Ritson-Davies 2 instead of Ritson-Vazquez but the exciting Geordie told punch-lines that a return with the Scouser might be a match for another time.
“I’ve been there and done it and was a clear winner,” stated the Neil Fannan-trained fighting machine.
“Deep down, I’d probably like that fight again, but further down the down the line.
“That was a good fight and a great win which is going to be our springboard to bigger things.
“My ultimate dream is still St James’ Park, but it needs to be the right fight.
“The plan was for three fights this year and then the big one in 2021, but it looks like it won’t work out like that any more.
“Hopefully that night will still happen, we just have to make sure we keep winning, keep putting the performances in.”
The ‘we’ the Forest Hall hero is referring to is Team Ritson, coach Fannan, manager Phil Jeffries and dad, Davy.
Lewis is well into his second year in Hartlepool, where he is under the tutelage of Fannan, who assumed the complete coaching duties after “a bit of a pasting” (Ritson’s words, not those of punch-lines) in his only defeat, to Francesco Patera, for the vacant European lightweight title in October 2018.
Ritson is champing at the bit to get going again and is available before the Vazquez date should promoter Eddie Hearn require his services.
“We are just a phone call away for when the shows start,” said the 20-1 (12) fighter.
“My motivation levels are still as strong as ever.
“The only hard part for us has not been getting the sparring.
“I’ve been doing the running, the circuits, the bag-work, all that’s been missing is hitting someone.
“I feel fine and have been training hard.
“Even when the graft was being done in isolation, I was still working to the boss’s instructions.
“Even if there is no fight coming up you are still training hard for Neil.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
