Lewis Ritson v Paul Hyland Jr

Lewis Ritson v Paul Hyland Jr

By Matthew Dean

When a fight looms and you think of two unbeaten fighters it sometimes strikes more of an interest and you contemplate outcomes. That’s the case Saturday night when Lewis Ritson and Paul Hyland Jr enter the ring in Newcastle looking to write their names higher into the echelons of boxing history.

It’s win-win for all fight fans on a big night for the sport internationally. In truth some fights don’t live up to the hype surrounding them but despite the odds favouring Ritson strongly, this is still a fight of genuine interest, the outcome far from certain.

Ritson will be the hometown favourite but Hyland Jr doesn’t appear dazed by this and will be coming in to win, he’s not here just for the payday. Hyland is used to being on the road, and being the away fighter shouldn’t be too much of an issue for him.

Although we expect impartiality we know sometimes there are occasions when the local boxer is looked more favourably upon. However it all depends on the fight trajectory. Based on the last 2 performances against Murray and Cardle, Ritson has been in destructive form and will be looking to finish it early.

I believe Joe Calzaghe once told a younger fighter “in this game you don’t get paid for overtime” and it’s a wise remark. We all adore a 12 round classic, some of us still revere the 15 rounders of years back, who doesn’t love an old-fashioned shootout in the ring? Imagine Hagler-Hearns going all the way or Corrales-Casamayor 1.

There are many factors at play here:

If Ritson wins he wins the Lonsdale belt outright, this being his 3rd defence.

If Hyland Jr wins, he would be the 1st Northern Irish fighter to hold the British title since the 70’s, history at stake in different ways for both men.

Ritson carries genuine power and can turn on the devastating salvos when the opportunity arises. Downside is he has never seen the other side of the tenth round.

Paul Hyland Jr Is a bit more experienced, has gone the 12 round distance once and won the IBF European lightweight title. He doesn’t have the same kind of power but he can still mix it up.

Ritson nearly left the sport not so long ago, a win on Saturday and very big things indeed could be on the horizon for Ritson and for boxing in the North East.

MAIN CARD:

Ricky Burns VS Ivan Njegac
6 x 3 mins Super-Lightweight Contest

Arfan Iqbal VS Simon Vallily
10 x 3 mins English Cruiserweight Championship
Followed by

Charlie Edwards VS Anthony Nelson
10 x 3 mins WBA Continental Super-Flyweight Championship
Followed by

Gavin McDonnell VS Stuart Hall
12 x 3 mins WBC International Super-Bantamweight Championship
Followed by

Lewis Ritson VS Paul Hyland Jr
12 x 3 mins British Lightweight Championship
Followed by

Kris George VS Josh Kelly
12 x 3 mins Commonwealth & WBA International Welterweight Championship
Float

Glenn Foot VS Sam Omidi
6 x 3 mins Super-Lightweight Contest