British junior welterweight Lewis Ritson will clash with former IBF 135-pound title holder Miguel Vazquez at the Utilita Arena Newcastle on Saturday April 4th, live on Sky Sports in the UK and DAZN in the US. Ritson (20-1, 12 KOs) produced a career-best performance to beat Robbie Davies Jr in a British Fight of the Year Candidate last time out in October. The Mexican Vazquez (42-9, 16 KOs) previously held the IBF title for four years, making six defenses before losing to Mickey Bey via a split decision in Las Vegas. [Vazquez has lost two of his last three] “He’s obviously been there and done it and got the t-shirt,” said Ritson. ‘’He is a world class fighter who has fought at the very top level of the sport and continues to do so, I need to be on my A game to get the win here. That’s the sort of fights we need now to get the best experience at that level. Get past Vazquez and I’m knocking on the door.
Ritson continued, “Vazquez can do a bit of everything. He’s awkward, he can fight, he can box, but whatever he brings to the table, we’ll have to adapt to that and work out a way to beat him. We cannot look past him, there’s a lot riding on it, but if we get the win over Vazquez then it could lead to a World Title shot down the line.”
“I think Ritson is a very strong fighter and I am expecting a very hard fight,” said Vazquez. “This fight will be very entertaining and is a good fight for both of us, the fans will certainly leave happy. I think not only in Newcastle but across the UK fans will be supporting Lewis because they want another champion in the future, but I also want to be a champion again so because of this, I feel this is a really intriguing fight. I know that Lewis will be very well prepared and anything could happen. I will prepare as I need to, in order to win this fight on April 4.”
Hartlepool star Savannah Marshall (8-0, 6 KOs), Britain’s first ever female amateur world champion, attempts to win a pro title in just her ninth fight when she faces New Zealand’s WBO light heavyweight ruler Geovana Peres (8-1, 1 KO).
Dillian Whyte’s heavyweight protégé Fabio Wardley (8-0, 7 KOs) steps up to take on Middlesbrough hard-man Simon Vallily (17-2-1, 7 KOs) for the vacant English belt.
“I can’t wait to be back in Newcastle, it’s become an absolute must on the boxing calendar,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “After his FOTY contender with Robbie Davies Jr, Lewis Ritson is straight back in the deep end against former World Lightweight king Miguel Vazquez as he continues his quest to challenge for a World Title in 2020.
“Britain’s Savannah Marshall looks to continue the run for women’s boxing as she moves up in weight to challenge for the WBO light heavyweight title against champion Geovana Peres and [122-pounder] Thomas Patrick Ward looks to continue his impressive rise. There is a great domestic Heavyweight battle as Dillian Whyte’s charge Fabio Wardley takes on Simon Vallily for the English title and the talented Kash Farooq returns to action. The Benwell Bomber Joe Laws will once again light up the Newcastle Arena and with further additions to be added, we expect another electric atmosphere in the North East.”
