The hair may have gone but not the ambition.
That is ‘the Sandman’ as he prepares to burst back on to the global stage this weekend.
Lewis Ritson takes on the unbeaten Irish star Paddy Donovan for the WBA welterweight continental title in Leeds on Saturday night on the undercard of the Josh Taylor v Jack Catterall re-match.
It is going to be some fight and that’s just Donovan v Ritson.
Lewis, 15 months on from his WBA world light-welterweight championship defeat to Ohara Davies in Newcastle, has the opportunity to get back to world level and prove he’s not finished.
Featured in the sport’s Bible this week, Boxing News, Ritson said: “Paddy has not boxed the level of fighter that I have, and I know he stopped the last kid, but he did have a couple of torrid rounds before that.
“I’ve seen little bits [to take advantage from] as I’m sure they have of me.
“The motivation is there – the winner for this is lined up for a world title eliminator and that would be great for someone written off as finished.
“I’m ready to prove a lot of people wrong.”
Ritson has arrived in Leeds this week looking good after his camp at Forest Hall, where he has trained alongside stablemates Ewan Mackenzie and Sam Menzies.
“It’s a massive chance and a great card to be on,” said the former British lightweight champion, who it must be noted boasts an incredible 23-3 record.
“I’m just happy to be here feeling nice and relaxed, strong and feeling fit for a change in fight week.
“I’m looking forward to putting on a good performance on Saturday night.”
The Irishman he’s up against is a pretty special talent, with 13 straight wins to his credit, including 10 inside the distance.
Donovan is sat in the Matchroom seat that Ritson used to occupy as the Eddie Hearn fighter going places.
The Geordie crowd favourite knows the score, he knows he has been brought in to add the most notable name yet to Donovan’s list of victims.
But the boxers who is coached by dad Davy, looks calm and composed and, perhaps most significantly, relaxed and confident that the work he’s put in inside his beloved gym could pay off.
“I can’t believe the difference this fight camp has been like compared to the rest of them,” he said in the media conference in Leeds.
“It’s massively really.
“I know we have a very tough fight on Saturday, Paddy is no mug, but I’m feeling really good and we think we can pull the job off.
“We’re not stupid, we’re not going to outbox Paddy, he’s a great boxer.
“But he’s never been where we have been before and we think we can pull him into that, and we’re going to find out.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
