City can be the UK’S top fight venue - Ritson

LEWIS Ritson is keen to help make Newcastle the fight capital of the UK as he prepares for his bout in the city next month.

The 27-year-old is set to fight a yetto-be-determined opponent at the Utilita Arena on October 16 on a night when Savannah Marshall and Hughie Fury are also in action.

Ritson’s bout is the first of a copromotional agreement signed with BOXXER and he is setting his sights high.

The Newcastle fighter is determined to help the city become the UK’S boxing capital and believes next month’s event is the perfect starting point.

The one-time British champion said: “It is going to be a mad atmosphere in there.

“We have loads of local talent on, it is going to be a great night for North East boxing.

“I have been at the forefront of North East boxing for the past four years, it is nice to still be a part of it with a new company and a fresh start.

“The atmosphere in the arena for the past three or four fights has been unbelievable and it should be the same again. It has been a while since big groups have been able to go out with each other for a good night out.

“That is what the occasion brings, the atmosphere and the lively crowd - we are hopefully going to make Newcastle the fight capital of the UK so this is the start of that.

“Savannah has a world title and is one of the leading names in women’s boxing as well so hopefully we can keep building on it.”

Fury, meanwhile, believes the defeats suffered in his career can provide an edge in his future bouts as he has taken lessons from them.

The 26-year-old, cousin of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, returns to the ring in Newcastle on October 16 to face Germany’s Christian Hammer.

Fury has a 25-3 record in his professional career, suffering defeats to Joseph Parker, Kubrat Pulev and

Alexander Povetkin - the last of which came in 2018.

Those defeats have not affected his mindset, though, with the opposite in fact giving him what he believes to be an edge over his rivals.

Fury said: “I have been in with a lot of fighters. Before it was a boy against a man, I was very young.

“I took those bouts against experienced fighters - now I am coming of age and ready to put that to work.”

Lewis Ritson is excited at the prospect of fighting again in his native Newcastle next month