Lewis Ritson vs. Francesco Patera - 13 October 2018

[Ruthless-RKO]

Lewis Ritson will face Francesco Patera for the vacant European lightweight title at Metro Radio Arena Newcastle on October 13, live on Sky Sports.

‘The Sandman’ won the British lightweight title outright by defeating the previously unbeaten challenger Paul Hyland Jnr at the Metro Radio Arena in June and is predicting another destructive performance against Patera in October.

Patera is no stranger to fighting on these shores, having lost a close decision to Birkenhead hardman Sean ‘Masher’ Dodd for the WBC International title in 2016. He went on to beat Finland’s Edis Tatli to win the European title in May 2017 before losing out in a rematch later that year.

Ritson gets his shot at European honours after Tatli decided to vacate his belt.

“I’ve dealt with all the top operators at domestic level and now it’s time to announce myself on the European stage,” said Ritson. “I’m feeling unstoppable right now and I’m ready to take on anyone that gets put in front of me. The Metro Radio Arena is my fortress and nobody is beating me in my backyard. The noise my fans make inside the arena is incredible, it’s like there’s two of me in the ring.

“Patera has held the European belt so we know that he poses a real threat and I’ll have to be at my best to get past him. I’ve been told there’s not much between Patera and Tatli in terms of ability and style. Patera looks big at the weight and is a busy fighter, I’m expecting an exciting fight.

“He’s a good opponent, but it’s nothing we don’t think we can handle on the night. I feel like I’m improving with every fight and with the form that I’m in, I’m confident of beating anyone.”

“I was completely blown away with what I saw both in and out of the ring last time we were in Newcastle,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Lewis Ritson has fast become one of the most popular and exciting fighters in British boxing and now he gets an opportunity to challenge for a European title. He has cleared up domestically and this is the next step.

“Also on the card we have a brilliant domestic battle between Glenn Foot and Robbie Davies Jr for the British and Commonwealth titles and rising star Joshua Buatsi defends his WBA title that he won at The O2 in July. Popular Heavyweight David Allen returns and cruisers Simon Vallily and Craig Glover face off in a title eliminator. If you thought last time was loud wait til this arena is full up with 9,000 Geordies bursting with pride. Roll on October 13.”

Ritson vs. Patera tops a huge night of action in Newcastle as rising light-heavyweight star Joshua Buatsi makes the first defence of his WBA International belt that he won at The O2 in July, Liverpool’s Robbie Davies Jnr faces Sunderland’s Glenn Foot for the British and Commonwealth super-lightweight titles, heavyweight fan favourite David Allen returns after his ‘life-changing’ win over Nick Webb and cruiserweights Simon Vallily and Craig Glover meet over 10 rounds.

There’s action elsewhere on the card from Thomas Patrick Ward, Newcastle cruiserweight Lawrence Osueke and Benwell super-welterweight Joseph Laws.

[Tangerine]

Makes sense for Tatli to vacate he is ranked top 5 with the IBF so if Mikey Garcia vacates then he will possibly get a vacant shot against Richard Commey.

I like this card though.Im not saying Patera is a brilliant opponent but its for the European title and its what we all wanted next for Ritson.

Glenn Foot v Robbie Davies is an excellent fight.Boxer v puncher,good potential.

Vallilly v Glover isnt bad either.Matchroom do a great job with these nextgen shows but theres just not enough of them for regular sky viewers.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Makes sense for Tatli to vacate he is ranked top 5 with the IBF so if Mikey Garcia vacates then he will possibly get a vacant shot against Richard Commey.

Tatly beat Patera for the EBU belt. I would have preferred Ritson vs. Tatli, but makes sense why Tatli would vacate.

Vallilly v Glover isnt bad either.Matchroom do a great job with these nextgen shows but theres just not enough of them for regular sky viewers.

Thought Vallily could rematch Arfan Iqbal. But my OP states this fight is an eliminator. Doesn't state if that's the English or British belt.

[jamamb]

well patera beat tatli, but then nearly got shut out in the rematch and also lost to sean dodd, ritson shouldnt have much issue id think

another light hitter though, would be curious to see ritson in with soneone who can bang a bit and maybe not so easy to walk through

[Ruthless-RKO]

well patera beat tatli, but then nearly got shut out in the rematch and also lost to sean dodd, ritson shouldnt have much issue id think

another light hitter though, would be curious to see ritson in with soneone who can bang a bit and maybe not so easy to walk through

Well let's hope Ritson defends the European belt a few times.. Who has the Commonwealth belt now?

[tobyh5]

I am surprised about Matchroom putting a european title fight together, surely there is a more prestigious Interim WBA Intercontinental strap available instead

[Ruthless-RKO]

I am surprised about Matchroom putting a european title fight together, surely there is a more prestigious Interim WBA Intercontinental strap available instead

Making sure he goes through the traditional route. It’s a better story for when he eventially challenges for a world title.

[Stuarty]

Straight forward KO win for Ritson. Surprised they've not tried to feed him Burns yet.

[Tangerine]

Well let's hope Ritson defends the European belt a few times.. Who has the Commonwealth belt now?

Joe Cordina has the Commonwealth.Tommy Coyle vacated so Cordina and Masher could fight for it.Thats probably the long term plan from Eddie as Ritson can keep hold of the British title until Cordina is in place to fight for it when Ritson vacates.I might be wrong but I couldnt see Eddie putting Ritson and Cordina in together for just a British title especially when they are both likely to move up weight divisions together.Long term thats a huge domestic fight one day.

Think Matchroom have done some sort of deal with the next in line Marvin Petit who has stepped aside because he's injured.So that's Ritsons next fight if he comes through this against Patera although id bet any money that they vacate the European title straight away and move on to be honest.

[KiwiRider]

well patera beat tatli, but then nearly got shut out in the rematch and also lost to sean dodd, ritson shouldnt have much issue id think

another light hitter though, would be curious to see ritson in with soneone who can bang a bit and maybe not so easy to walk through

I remember the Masher fight was pretty darn close. Patera is a decent progression for Ritson. He does need some rounds though

[Paullow]

Less than 2 years ago a regular Saturday Sky fight night in Liverpool consisted of:

Bellew vs Flores (world title, albeit weak opponent)
Campbell vs Matthews (eagerly anticipated clash)
Burnett vs Farrag
Dodd vs Patera

Now, 2 years later, after losing a debatable decision against Dodd, yes Sean Dodd, who while very game is pretty limited as we have seen from the last couple of fights, somehow Patera is now considered main event material. So basically that Liverpool card had a 50/50 fight 4th down the card, a bit of an afterthought really, a card filler if you like. Now the same person is the main event in a 90/10 type of fight and that's being generous.

Obviously the Euro title so it is there is logic and it makes sense from that perspective, but for a genuine fight fan, not someone simply there to drink beer and sing 'toon toon' even if Ritson was fighting Jordan Ellison for a third time, that is a pretty weak headliner.

We've gone from the likes of Crolla-Perez, Quigg-Martinez on the same non PPV card or a world title with a final eliminator as chief support to a very non competitive main event in a couple of years where the opponent has had 6 weeks notice. Obviously the main emphasis is all on PPV these days as demonstrated by only having 5 (very modest) regular fight nights going into September, but this will be yet another underwhelming show. It's on my doorstep but I'm not going to bother with it - not that it will affect the attendance mind

[Ruthless-RKO]

Anyone know what happened to Ritson between December 2016 until October 2017?

Was he injured?

[Stuarty]

Anyone know what happened to Ritson between December 2016 until October 2017?

Was he injured?

Was that not around the time he left Billy Nelson? Maybe some promotional issues?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Anyone know what happened to Ritson between December 2016 until October 2017?

Was he injured?

Was that not around the time he left Billy Nelson? Maybe some promotional issues?

Ahh... I didn't really follow Ritson until Feb this year.

[Stuarty]

Anyone know what happened to Ritson between December 2016 until October 2017?

Was he injured?

Was that not around the time he left Billy Nelson? Maybe some promotional issues?

Ahh... I didn't really follow Ritson until Feb this year.

He was up here training with Billy Nelson for a good while. Not sure what happened there but he went back down the road. I'm only speculating bud. Maybe it was an injury.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Was that not around the time he left Billy Nelson? Maybe some promotional issues?

Ahh... I didn't really follow Ritson until Feb this year.

He was up here training with Billy Nelson for a good while. Not sure what happened there but he went back down the road. I'm only speculating bud. Maybe it was an injury.

Well, he's still very young.

[Spud]

Ritson is a great bloke and great fighter.

Totally delighted he is bringing a major boxing promotion to the north east.

[prewarboxing]

Ritson is a great bloke and great fighter.

Totally delighted he is bringing a major boxing promotion to the north east.

I'll second that

Miles Templeton

[jameswilson]

Have him fight reguarly at this kind of level stepping up a touch at a time. He's been blasting guys out quickly in the last year and we've seen it umpteen times when guys suddenly get extended they come undone. I think a fight against Yvan Mendy in about 9 months time is good to work towards if he keeps on winning. They may go for the money spinning Burns and Crolla fights tho.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Have him fight reguarly at this kind of level stepping up a touch at a time. He's been blasting guys out quickly in the last year and we've seen it umpteen times when guys suddenly get extended they come undone. I think a fight against Yvan Mendy in about 9 months time is good to work towards if he keeps on winning. They may go for the money spinning Burns and Crolla fights tho.

That’s true. He needs rounds IMO. Lightweight is a tough division. At world level he won’t be stopping those guys in a couple rounds.

He has fought a lot this yesr already. But only boxed like what 10 mins?

[shadesofali]

Really like watching this kid. Very exciting style. Seems a bit strange that he's fighting somebody a month before an important fight. It's not like he is ring rusty or anything. Not complaining like, the more Geordie Golovkin the better for me. Just don't understand it

[shadesofali]

Straight forward KO win for Ritson. Surprised they've not tried to feed him Burns yet.

Seem to remember Ritson saying he wouldn't fight Burns out of respect as Burns was like a mentor to him when he was coming through

[Stuarty]

Straight forward KO win for Ritson. Surprised they've not tried to feed him Burns yet.

Seem to remember Ritson saying he wouldn't fight Burns out of respect as Burns was like a mentor to him when he was coming through

Ritson comes across that type of fella. I'd deffo give Ritson his props for that! That's class!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Straight forward KO win for Ritson. Surprised they've not tried to feed him Burns yet.

Seem to remember Ritson saying he wouldn't fight Burns out of respect as Burns was like a mentor to him when he was coming through

Ritson comes across that type of fella. I'd deffo give Ritson his props for that! That's class!

Fight week boys. Hearn is a mad man!!

UK TO US TO UK TO US! busy man!

[maverick23]

I like this fight and I really like the Davies Jr fight but there are plenty TBAs on there.

I don’t see why Buatsi couldn’t have a meaningful fight on this show.