Lewis Ritson can’t wait to get back out to entertain his legion of fans AND get that step closer to his dream of being world champion.
The 27-year-old is already in amazing shape ahead of a proposed June confrontation with unbeaten South American champ Jeremias Ponce in a final eliminator for the IBF world light-welterweight title.
There have been no announcements from Eddie Hearn as yet about Matchroom’s return to Newcastle, though he will be awaiting developments over how many fans will be allowed in. Eddie has been somewhat busy with the not-so-small matter of AJ-Fury negotiations and the Alvarez-Saunders showdown, which looks like being a classic.
Ritson-Ponce does not look a bad match either, does it? It features the IBF’s sixth and fifth-ranked fighters and there could, punch-lines emphasises the word ‘could’, be a delicious twist of fate surrounding this fight.
There is conjecture Josh Taylor may move up to welterweight after his WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO fight with Jose Ramirez in Las Vegas later in May thus, potentially, freeing up the International Boxing Federation’s belt at 140lbs.
But there is a lot of water to flow under the Tyne bridge before then, but Ritson is “buzzing” at the prospect of fighting the unbeaten Argentinian in his home Toon.
“It looks a good fight,” the ‘Sandman’ told punch-lines.
“Ponce has a similar style to me, he likes to jab and likes to get stuck in.
“He’s a bit of a spoiler on the inside, he likes to hold a bit, but he likes to get off his body shots.
“I know we thought Miguel Vazquez was going to come and have a go when I fought him but I definitely think this kid will definitely have a go and that will suit us.
“Whether it is for the world title or the mandatory position then both are very high stakes.
“We are potentially one or two fights away from a world title shot and whether people think that is right or wrong after my last performance I’m knuckling down and doing the work and will prove I should be there.”
Ritson is excited at the return of fans too.
While in no way seeking to make excuses for his performance in a split decision win over Vazquez behind closed doors in Peterborough in October, he admitted finding it a strange experience.
“I’ve never said this before but I watched three or four rounds of Tommy Ward against Thomas Essomba and turned to my dad and said ‘I don’t feel like fighting in here’,” said the Phil Jeffries-managed fighter.
“It was horrible but a few people have found it hard and some top English lads have lost in the Bubble.
“Had the fans been in the arenas they might have turned things around and won but suppose we all have to live and learn.
“I don’t really want to mention the Bubble – it didn’t affect Vazquez so I’m probably clutching at straws a bit.
“But I now we will come back bigger, better and stronger, we’ll prove in the next fight that we are up there.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
