Lewis Ritson v Paul Hyland 16th June 2018 Sky Sports Fight Night

Lewis Ritson vs Paul Hyland Jr: Domestic dust-up headlines a night packed full of potential in Newcastle

Boxing on TV: British lightweight bout leads a bill that also includes Gavin McDonnell’s bantamweight encounter with Stuart Hall

Amidst all the major fights going on in the boxing world at the moment, there is still nothing better than a packed night of competitive, domestic action. Tonight, in Newcastle, several of Britain’s most exciting prospects will take to the ring, headlined by British lightweight champion Lewis Ritson, who defends his title against Paul Hyland Jr.

Ritson’s rise to success has been rapid, and destructive. Prior to October 2017, the 24-year-old had barely beaten an opponent with a winning record, but a surprise British title challenge against then-champion Robbie Barrett ended in a seventh-round victory for Ritson. While the win was excellent, Ritson’s follow up success over Joe Murray was even more impressive, as the former Olympian was stopped in the first round.

At this stage, the Ritson hype-train was beginning to roar, with his reputation on boxing forums reaching rapid hype. In March, just five months after beating Barrett, Ritson soaked up a first round assault from Scott Cardle before stopping him in the second round. The fight taught us that Ritson has the ability to soak up pressure at will, but that his defence could come under scrutiny against a harder puncher.

So, is Paul Hyland Jr that guy? It’s unlikely. The Belfast man is 18-0 as a professional, but only seven of his wins have come via stoppage. Hyland is in good form after 2017 wins over Adam Dingsdale and Stephen Ormond, but though the Irish star has ambitions of his own assault on the European scene, he has not showed the overall quality in the ring that Ritson has.

But ring quality isn’t always the barometer to success. Tonight reflects the first time that Ritson has headlined a card of any great significance, and it comes in front of thousands of his local fans. Will he be able to deal with the pressure of performing, especially when his previous fights have come under the radar?

Hyland too must deal with new surroundings, he has never been in a fight of his magnitude, and has never fought in England before, let alone as the overwhelming villain of the piece for the local fans. If Ritson has the power advantage, and Hyland the general boxing skills, who will have the mentality to eliminate the expectation and focus on victory?

An excellent undercard will accompany the main event, led by Josh Kelly, who challenges for the Cruiserweight welterweight title in just his seventh fight. Kelly has attracted a great deal of attention for his sublime talent, with his Matrix-like movement and fast hands garnering plenty of acclaim. He faces a step up in Newcastle against Australian Kris George, who has stopped three of his last four opponents.

Elsewhere, Gavin McDonnell and Stuart Hall meet in a crossroads super bantamweight clash, Arfan Iqbal and Simon Vallily battle for the English cruiserweight title, Charlie Edwards and Anthony Nelson are in super flyweight action, while Ricky Burns and Glenn Food compete in tick-over bouts.

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...-a8402216.html

http://www.skysports.com/boxing/news...wcastle-fights

I'll be watching this, not really all that interested in it but I'll have it on anyways

Anna looking lovely as per usual, pretty in pink tonight she is

Simon Vallily v Afran Iqbal on now

Cautious round from both cheeky punch from Iqbal before they started and the ref told him off.

Warming up a bit in the 2nd round but still full action.Give Vallily both rounds

Iqbal is getting better and think he won that round.

2 all but dire contest.

yep pretty shit so far

Iqbal doesn't look like a boxer

Simon Vallily wins 5th round with better and dominant jab.

Interesting 6th round with warning for illegal punch but Iqbal wins 6th round

Body shots wins Iqbal 7th

Iqbal wins 8th with other guy point deducted

Both tired but getting interested both messy.

6 - 3 Iqbal

turned out to be an ok fight, shit quality but got better when they both gassed

Simon wins last round but I got Iqbal winning the fight. 6-4

Draw got better at the end.

them points deductions cost Milli Vanilli

@Master there isn't any other boxing on tonight other than this card is there?

It was not a classic a draw was about right.

cocky little fuck aint he this Edwards

Down twice in the second, one to the head and one to the body, can't see Nelson turning this one around

Brutal knockout and good fight by Charlie Edwards

yeah he looked good there, good knock out

Well done Edwards good win.

When they go down face first they never seem to beat the count.!

I can't believe Hall is still fighting, he's been around for fucking years

Missed the first 4 rounds what's happened?

McDonnell winning 5th round and now 6th with a good jab and movement

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Originally Posted by Master

Missed the first 4 rounds what's happened?

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Hall has got old

McDonnell too good and fast for Hall. Sky have a shut out so far.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Batman

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Master

Missed the first 4 rounds what's happened?

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Hall has got old

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Hall trying but he does look like an old man in there. Just one step behind in every department.

UD McDonnell

Demolition job from Ritson there in the first round

Ritson wins it in the first round and stops Hyland.

Full arena and great atmosphere

Fucking hell Glenn Foot, didn't he only fight a few weeks back?

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Originally Posted by Batman

Fucking hell Glenn Foot, didn't he only fight a few weeks back?

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Don't know but doing well and won first round for me with effective aggression

Wins second round too.

Atmosphere gone now.

Foot landing big right hands now 3 nil.