Another one of those please.
That is the wish of Lewis Ritson with the ‘one’ in question being his impressive win over Christian Uruzquieta at the Rainton Arena.
The Sandman, who pummeled the battle-hardened Mexican into submission one round from the end of their international light-welterweight showdown, is hoping that 2022 will be a big year for him.
“I’d like another 10-rounder like that and then a big name,” Ritson told punch-lines.
“It might sound daft to say but people like Tommy Ward have done loads of 10 and 12 rounders – they know how to pace themselves. I’ve not done that many.
“I went through a period of blasting people out early and while I’ve done a few (10 rounders) it’s not been a lot.”
Ritson was one of Probellum’s first major signings, so it was fitting he was the headline attraction for their inaugural show in Houghton which was staged in association with Phil Jeffries.
The North-East should become something of the UK home for the Los Angeles-based company, given the amount of talent they have snapped up from this region – British light-middleweight king Troy Williamson, Olympic twins Luke and Pat McCormack, and Ashington’s ex-ABA champ, Ben Rees.
With another of their first captures, Mark Dickinson, having already made it two wins from two as a pro, Probellum have the sort of talent to pack out arenas.
“I’m still the top man at the minute but I know boxing can be a fickle sport – one loss and you can be bottom of the pile and no-one wants to know you and you are back on a ticket deal on a Jaffa show!” laughed Ritson.
“I am in a lucky position that I am winning and I am at the forefront of things.
“I’ve headlined the shows up here repeatedly and I feel honoured to have done it five or six times now.
“I’m proud of my position but Tommy had a great win as did Mark and Joe Laws, so everyone has their part to play.”
Ritson told punch-lines how he’d love to be back inside his beloved Toon again in 2022, having travelled well south of the Tyne to perform in Co Durham.
“It wasn’t easy trying to sell tickets,” he explained. “A lot of fans like to come to the fight then walk into the town centre.
“Even another fight at the Eagles would be great before a big one at the Utilita Arena.”
Wherever or whatever is next for the 28-year-old, he can look forward with a fair degree of optimism.
He returned to winning ways after the June IBF light-welterweight eliminator defeat to Jeremias Ponce and there was some new Ritson to admire, as well as some of the old Sandman too.
“It was my first fight in six months, against a hard lad who had never been stopped before and who came to win,” said Lewis, who is now 22-2 with 13 stoppage victories.
“Some of the time I was probably trying to load up a bit too much, trying for one big shot, rather than touch, touch, bang, bang.
“I could have done a lot better, but overall I’m happy.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Jennifer Charlton
