Lewis Ritson is a step closer to a world title challenge after getting the better of Robbie Davies Jr.
The pair did battle at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, exclusively live on Sky Sports and DAZN.
Ritson will be hoping that his shot at global honours will come at the home of his beloved Newcastle United, St James’ Park, and Davies Jr. will be looking to bounce back after suffering the second defeat of his professional career.
Davies Jr., the former British, two-time Commonwealth and European super-lightweight champion, was on the wrong end of 117-112, 116-112 and 116-112 scorecards.
And now, for Ritson, it’s all roads towards that coveted WBA title which is currently held in Super capacity by Regis Prograis.
Prograis puts his belt, along with the WBC Diamond crown, on the line at the O2 Arena in London next weekend in the World Boxing Super Series super-lightweight tournament final against IBF king Josh Taylor, with the pair vying for the vacant Ring Magazine belt.
"This is redemption for me,” said Ritson, who dropped a decision to Francesco Patera at the same arena a year ago when the pair clashed for the then-vacant European title down at lightweight. “I showed I can box and showed I have an engine.
“I want my next fight to be for life-changing money against the Prograis-Taylor winner.”
It remains to be seen whether that will come to fruition but one thing’s for sure and that’s that ‘The Sandman’s’ focus has now moved swiftly towards the upper echelons of the super-lightweight division.
Davies Jr. was gracious in defeat, stating that he hopes Ritson goes on to fight for a belt at the top level.
“I'm devastated, I thought I had the game-plan to push him back,” he said. “I thought I won that but it is what it is and I hope Lewis goes on and challenges for a world title."