Lewis Ritson set for European lightweight title fight

[Ruthless-RKO]

Lewis Ritson is set to earn a European title fight in October and his destructive rise up the rankings could even lead to an appearance in America.

The 24-year-old won the British lightweight crown outright with a stunning first round knockout of Paul Hyland Jr in June, and will be keeping a close eye on Edis Tatli's European title defence against Frank Urquiaga on Saturday.

Ritson hopes to face the winner, with a potential date of October 13 reserved at the Metro Radio Arena, but could first make an appearance on Amir Khan's undercard in Birmingham on September 8, live on Sky Sports.

"Yeah, October 13, we're thinking," Ritson told Sky Sports. "We're being told that we could have a warm-up fight on September 8 on the Amir Khan bill, just an eight-rounder, then hopefully the European title in October.

"He's [Tatli] got a good win against [Yvan] Mendy, who's obviously beaten Luke Campbell. He's a good opponent, but it's nothing we don't think we can handle on the night.

"Domestically at British level, we've dealt with all the top operators now.

"We've got [Anthony] Crolla, Campbell and [Ricky] Burns who are beyond that, but the domestic scene, we've dealt with that well and now it's time for the European."

Promoter Eddie Hearn tied down Ritson on a five-fight deal in June, which included the possibility of a bout on a Matchroom USA bill.

"When we signed the contract, one of the fights was to be in America," revealed Ritson.

"But if we keep having the Metro [Radio] Arena like a fortress, and the atmosphere that we're getting, then there's no need to go anywhere else.

"It would always be nice to go to America for a big fight, but if we can keep fighting at that Arena, then that's where we'll stay."

[jamamb]

its as clear a progression as any for him, him vs tatli would be good

[jlh]

Good fight.

Exciting times for Ritson. Think he will be a bigger star than the current batch of Olympians.

Get European title and then match him with Crolla. Can't see how Crolla could stand up to the power and doesn't hit hard enough to deter Ritson.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Good fight.

Exciting times for Ritson. Think he will be a bigger star than the current batch of Olympians.

Get European title and then match him with Crolla. Can't see how Crolla could stand up to the power and doesn't hit hard enough to deter Ritson.

He doesn't need to fight Crolla. I'd rather he fight prospects. Crolla may not have slowed down completely, but it would sell.

[SamWise72]

Would be great to see him pick up the European belt. Old school. Looking forward to following his career.

[KiwiRider]

Would be great to see him pick up the European belt. Old school. Looking forward to following his career.

Love the journey too.
Brit-Euro-Inter- world as it should be
He is an easy sell to the Americans as well, just show them the highlight reel of his last 3 fights

[forcefraser]

Done amazingly well so far but he is very open to the right hand and the left hook.

once he gets in with a banger we'll learn a bit more about him

[Stuarty]

Done amazingly well so far but he is very open to the right hand and the left hook.

once he gets in with a banger we'll learn a bit more about him

Yeah I thought it was alarming how easy Cardle was catching him until the stoppage. Great to watch though. Him and Tatli would be interesting. Might go down for that if its in Newcastle.

[prewarboxing]

Done amazingly well so far but he is very open to the right hand and the left hook.

once he gets in with a banger we'll learn a bit more about him

Yeah I thought it was alarming how easy Cardle was catching him until the stoppage. Great to watch though. Him and Tatli would be interesting. Might go down for that if its in Newcastle.

October 13.. Newcastle.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Stuarty]

Done amazingly well so far but he is very open to the right hand and the left hook.

once he gets in with a banger we'll learn a bit more about him

Yeah I thought it was alarming how easy Cardle was catching him until the stoppage. Great to watch though. Him and Tatli would be interesting. Might go down for that if its in Newcastle.

October 13.. Newcastle.

Cheers mate. Definitely gonna try and get down for it.

[KiwiRider]

Done amazingly well so far but he is very open to the right hand and the left hook.

once he gets in with a banger we'll learn a bit more about him

Thats true. If someone with power goes in with him, we will see how good his defence is. No one yet has earned his respect power wise, he might have taken a few shots in his last three brief outings, though I think things would have been different if he was wary of his opponents power.