Lewis Ritson’s alliance with coach Neil Fannan is over.
Punch-lines understands ‘The Sandman’ will now be trained by dad, Davy, at his father’s Forest Hall gym.
Ritson had risen to number two in the World Boxing Association rankings under Fannan and last time out continued his winning run with a split decision points victory in October against former IBF champ Miguel Vazquez.
What, ordinarily, would have been classed as a stand-out result ended being shrouded in controversy because of a wide scoreline from judge, Terry O’Connor.
Despite all that, there seemed no cracks in what had become a very strong bond between the pair who enjoyed four wins out of four as a combination, including the outstanding WBA world welterweight title eliminator against ‘Bad Blood’ rival, Robbie Davies Jnr.
“Lewis has gone,” explained Fannan. “It’s disappointing, we worked well together, but there are no ill feelings on my part. I won’t be slagging him off.”
Ritson moved to Hartlepool to work full-time with Fannan after his first career loss, a split decision points defeat to Francesco Patera for the vacant European lightweight title in October 2018.
Fannan had been brought into work with Team Ritson during Lewis’s explosive run through the British lightweight title scene but insisted post-Patera that it would be on his terms and it proved a shrewd move.
The partnership soon paid dividends, the Geordie winning the WBA Inter-Continental light-welterweight belt with a points success over German Argentino Benitez at the Copper Box Arena, followed by a rapid demolition of Poland’s Marek Jedrzejewski in his maiden defence in Liverpool.
Ritson’s finest hour came on the anniversary of the Patera loss when he beat Davies at the Utility Arena in a fight of the year contender, prompting promoter Eddie Hearn to talk of a St James’s Park super-fight with Josh Taylor.
“Lewis blasted through everyone at British level but you need more when you go up to the next level,” said Fannan.
“When he came to work full-time with me I said it would take a year to see the difference.
“And we did. He outboxed, outfought and outlasted Davies, Lewis really boxed out of his skin – he was brilliant and I was confident there was more to come.”
Unfortunately for the 27-year-old he was unable to build on the Newcastle triumph as Covid put paid to an April showdown with Vazquez in his home Toon.
Ultimately, the Phil Jeffries-managed fighter was forced to wait 12 months between contests before beating the Mexican at Peterborough.
“I’ve heard people say ‘he’s only stopped one of the last four’,” said Fannan.
“I don’t think anyone would have stopped the Argentinian and against Davies that was the best Lewis has ever boxed.
“I’d say he would have been capable of stopping Vazquez if he’d been at his best but he was a bit flat on the night. But he was still good enough to beat a man of his class.
“I’m proud of what we did and I believe I made him a better fighter.”
It leaves Fannan with only the one boxer, though that man is Tommy Ward, the WBO number four who boasts considerable talent.
“I’m enjoying my time in the gym with Tommy,” added Neil.
Punch-lines has tried to make contact with Lewis but with no success.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
