Lewis Ritson will come back from the enforced break an even better boxer.
That was the view of coach Neil Fannan, who has masterminded the transfer of ‘The Sandman’ to the light-welterweight division and his rise to number two in the World Boxing Association’s ratings.
Ritson, like every fighter, has not stepped foot inside a ring for some time because of the corona virus pandemic.
A big Utilita Arena showdown with former world champion, Miguel Vazquez, on April 4 was one of the first major casualties of the lockdown with the substitute date of June 27 also getting postponed.
Ritson v Vasquez is booked in for Saturday, October 17 in Newcastle, assuming of course life is back to any sort of normality by then.
From the outside looking in, it would appear the momentum gained from his brilliant victory over Robbie Davies Jnr back in their WBA eliminator last October has been lost.
But Fannan says not to judge the situation by just the first glance.
“The lads have been training hard, we always train hard,” the legendary Hartlepool coach told punch-lines.
“Lewis has been able to practice, practice and practice.
“This break will do him the world of good as a boxer – he’s coming on in leaps and bounds.
“It will be a hard ask to go 12 months between fights but nothing has been missed in terms of work, physical or technical.
“With the way things have panned out, we’ve done more schooling than we would have done ordinarily.”
Those who watched the win over Davies can’t fail to have been impressed by the performance of the Forest Hall fighter.
An assassin as a lightweight, the change in him at 10st has been marked.
There is now more boxing than brutality, following the step up in weight and class, and Fannan believes the 26-year-old will display even more superior skills come October.
“Tommy Ward is the real deal in my opinion,” he said. “Lewis Ritson continues to get better and better, he’s benefited a lot from this break and will continue to do so.
“I thought he had a great chance of beating Vazquez in April and because of this break I think he’ll have an even better chance in October.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins/ Hartlepool Life
