“Buzzing to be back” and ready to “achieve big things”.
Those are the words of Lewis Ritson who is looking a lean, mean fighting machine as he builds up towards a planned summer IBF world light-welterweight championship eliminator with unbeaten Argentinian fighter Jeremias Ponce.
‘The Sandman’ is back home in the Forest Hall gym after two years in Hartlepool, where he trained under Neil Fannan, and Punch-lines caught up with the 27-year-old at the end of a training session with dad, Davy, and stablemate, Terry Wilkinson.
Speaking for the first time since his split with Fanno, Ritson revealed being back at home with young daughter, Darcie, and fiancée Samantha, who is expecting their second child, was at the heart of his decision and how he rebuffed several top-line trainers.
“I’m buzzing to be back,” he said. “I’ve trained with Terry since he was nine and it’s great being back with him and with my dad and Owen Reay.
“Even when I was training in Hartlepool I was still calling in here, whether it was to do a bit of training or watching the lads spar, so I’m happy.
“I did have a few offers from some good trainers, but there was only one place I was ever going to go and that was here.
“It was Neil’s or here. I did ask Fanno to still be part of the team and go down his gym two or three times a week and have him in my corner, but he point-blank refused that idea.
“With Neil it’s his way or no way and I understand.
“In my time with him I think everyone saw how I improved and there are no hard feelings with him.
“I was a bit gutted he didn’t want to stay a part of things but now we’ve got to move on.
“I have a good team around me and I’m confident we’ll go on and achieve big things.
“I think everyone knows how much I love boxing, but I love my daughter more.
“If I smashed my hands tomorrow and I could never box again, it wouldn’t be the end of my life.
“My daughter comes before anything and we’ve got another on the way and he or she will also come before anything.”
Ritson has not boxed since his split decision points success over former world champion, Miguel Vazquez, back in October at Peterborough, his fourth straight victory since his move up to light-welter.
His 21st pro win was shrouded in controversy and criticism with both Fannan and Ritson coming under fire and the Phil Jeffries-managed fighter says he’s ready to prove a point.
“If I’m fighting in June then I’m the lightest I’ve ever been this far out from a fight,” said Lewis.
“I’ve got things I want to prove after my last performance and I’m going to make sure I do that so that means being fit and ready.
“Did all the stuff upset me? Only when it involved my family. It’s too easy for people to go on social media under fake profiles and slag you off.
“I wasn’t that shocked because I copped a lot after the Patera fight.
“I don’t need that as motivation, when I’m in the gym training I’m fully motivated, but I do want to prove myself.
“There’s an old saying about he who laughs last laughs longest and I’ll have the last laugh.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
