Anyone fancy a night of boxing in Newcastle, starring Lewis Ritson? Yes, we thought so.
Promoter Eddie Hearn announced that the Forest Hall hero has been paired with the unbeaten Jeremias Ponce in a final IBF world light-welterweight championship eliminator and Matchroom hope to stage this England v Argentina battle in front of fans on Tyneside in May.
It has to be stated that it’s NOT a done deal yet, but top marks from the International Boxing Federation to match up two of the 140lb division’s most exciting talents.
Ritson, ranked at six, is on a run of four straight victories since his move up to light-welter, while Ponce, one place above him in the ratings, has won all 27 of his professional contests, 17 inside the distance.
Phil Jeffries, manager of ‘The Sandman’ says the camp are thrilled at the prospect.
“Lewis said yes in a flash,” Jaffa told punch-lines. “There was not a moment’s hesitation from Lewis and [dad] Davy.
“Ponce is clearly very good but the team are bang up for this, we’ve accepted the fight and we’re in negotiations with their side.
“This is a huge fight for Lewis and a step closer to boxing for the world title.”
Ritson has not performed in front of his adoring Geordie public since his brilliant win over Robbie Davies on a WBA eliminator in October 2019.
The 27-year-old had been scheduled to tackle former IBF champ, Miguel Vasquez, at the Utilita Arena last April and then June, only for the coronavirus pandemic to put paid to it.
Ritson had to wait until October to meet the Mexican behind closed doors in Peterborough in what proved his final bout with coach, Neil Fannan.
That split-decision WBA Inter-continental success did not meet with universal approval but Lewis would be within his rights to point out that it’s the ringside judges who score the fight rather than Sky Sports and two of the three appointed officials marked it in his favour.
Ponce fights more in the style of Ritson rather than Vazquez, so an explosive affair could be on the cards.
The 24-year-old, from Buenos Aires, won the South American title in 2019 by outpointing fellow Argentine, Leonardo Amitrano, while became IBO champion later that year with a points win in Berlin over Germany’s Rico Muller on his debut outside the Americas.
He boxed twice in late 2020, both all-Argentinian confrontations, firstly stopping Ruben Lopez in 90 seconds before being pushed all the way by southpaw Jonathan Eniz over 10 tough rounds.
Hearn, speaking on a Matchroom video, said: “It’s a good fight, a tough fight, but we’ve accepted the position.
“We’re negotiating with his team now and hope that fight will happen in May, hopefully in front of fans in Newcastle.”
We can’t wait.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
