LEWIS RITSON fell short in his lightweight European title fight with Francesco Patera at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle on Saturday (October 13).
Ritson has been on a run of devastating knockouts as British champion but against Patera he was stepping up to a new level. The man from Belgium outboxed him to win a split decision. One judge scored 116-112 to Ritson by the other two had it for Patera by the same margin.
“It wasn’t the performance I wanted,” Ritson told Sky Sports.
“The better man won,” he admitted. “After the first four rounds I was heading back to the corner almost laughing. I maybe got too complacent.”
Robbie Davies Jnr won the British super-lightweight title, outscoring Sunderland’s fiery Glenn Foot after 12 rounds.
Olympic bronze medallist Joshua Buatsi put in a sensational performance, knocking out French light-heavyweight Tony Averlant with, literally, breath-taking body shots.
At cruiserweight Craig Glover upset Simon Vallily, stopping him in eight rounds. Dave Allen took a one round win, beating Samir Nebo, while Anthony Fowler halted Gabor Gorbics.
