The last time Lewis Ritson fought in front of a fervent Geordie sell-out crowd in Newcastle as the headliner, it was a huge wake-up call for the powerful lightweight, who went on to lose his first professional fight, and his European lightweight title, to Francisco Patera.
On Saturday night, a weight division above, the young fighter who has made fight nights fashionable again in the north east – along with another rising prospect, Josh Kelly – faces a more urbane, classical opponent in the Liverpudlian Robbie Davies Jr, at light welterweight.
No less popular as a local hero in spite of that loss almost exactly a year ago – the Utilita Arena has sold all of its 9,000 seats once more – Ritson must display the precision and poise he has been looking to put together besides his natural fighting desire, both of which have taken him to this point.
“There is no rush, but I do want to show my developments in this contest, which we all know is a 50/50. Robbie is a very skilful fighter, but I’m happy to go 12 rounds, and show my skills, or if the opportunity arises, take the finish,” Ritson told Telegraph Sport.
Ritson must start fast and look to impose himself on Davies, who may get stronger as the fight goes on, if he can utilise his trademark technique and ring IQ.
The chief support pits Londoner Ted Cheeseman, who has recently overcome a gambling addiction to get his career back on track, in another closely-matched contest for the British light-middleweight title, with Scott Fitzgerald, trained by punk rock band member and former boxer Michael Jennings, fresh off a great recent victory over Anthony Fowler.
Tony Sims, who trains Cheeseman, told Telegraph Sport on Friday: “Whether Ted wins or loses against Fitzgerald, we are so proud of how he has got his life back on track after his gambling issues. He is still a young boxer – and a young father – he has had an amazing camp and has a great future ahead of him.”