{"id":715,"date":"2021-05-25T12:35:37","date_gmt":"2021-05-25T12:35:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gosportsandentertainment.co.uk\/?p=715"},"modified":"2021-05-25T12:35:37","modified_gmt":"2021-05-25T12:35:37","slug":"ritson-faces-ponce-in-ibf-world-title-final-eliminator","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gosportsandentertainment.co.uk\/?p=715","title":{"rendered":"RITSON FACES PONCE IN IBF WORLD TITLE FINAL ELIMINATOR"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\u2018The Sandman\u2019 returns on June 12<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Lewis Ritson<\/strong> will face Jeremias Ponce<\/strong> in a Final Eliminator for the IBF Super-Lightweight World Title at the Vertu Motors Arena, Newcastle on Saturday June 12, live on Sky Sports<\/strong> in the UK and on DAZN<\/strong> in the US and more than 200 countries and territories.
 
\u2018The Sandman\u2019 won a controversial split decision against Miguel Vazquez behind closed doors at the East of England Arena in Peterborough last time out in October to claim the vacant WBA Intercontinental Super-Lightweight Title and improve his record to 21-1 (12 KOs).
 
In his last fight in front of his Newcastle faithful, Ritson produced a career-best performance to beat bitter rival Robbie Davies Jr in an enthralling Fight of the Year candidate, and the 27-year-old says he can\u2019t wait to get back in front of his fanatical support against undefeated Argentinian Ponce.  
 
The 24-year-old, from Buenos Aires, won the South American Title in 2019 by outpointing fellow Argentine Leonardo Amitrano, and became IBO Champion later that year with a points win in Berlin over Germany\u2019s Rico Muller on his debut outside the Americas.
 
He boxed twice in late 2020, both all-Argentinian confrontations, firstly stopping Ruben Lopez in 90 seconds before being pushed all the way by southpaw Jonathan Eniz over 10 tough rounds, and heads into his showdown with Geordie favourite Ritson on the back of a 27-fight winning streak. 
 
\u201cIt was a strange experience behind closed doors last time so I\u2019m thrilled fans will be returning, it\u2019s always loud in Newcastle and I\u2019m proud to have them behind me cheering me on,\u201d said Ritson<\/strong>. 

\u201cPonce likes to come forward, throw a few good body shots and he\u2019s got a decent jab. We\u2019re expecting and have prepared for a tough fight and it should be given what\u2019s at stake.

\u201cI\u2019m one or two fights away from being World Champion now, that\u2019s the dream for any boxer and to be in touching distance now is spurring me on with this Final Eliminator locked in.”

\u201cI’m really looking forward to the fight,\u201d said Ponce<\/strong>. \u201cI’ve already become World Champion in Europe when I won the IBO crown against Rico Mueller and after my win against Ritson on June 12 I am aiming to win another World Title. I\u2019m ready to box anyone in my weight class.\u201d

“This is a huge fight for Lewis Ritson, he is one fight away from a shot at the undisputed championship,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn<\/strong>. “We should be having the full 9,000 in Newcastle but right now 1,000 is going to feel like a full house and I can\u2019t wait to see the fans again in Newcastle – I expect this main event to be a war.”

A limited number of tickets will be made available for this event and further details will be released on Thursday May 27.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u2018The Sandman\u2019 returns on June 12 Lewis Ritson will face Jeremias Ponce in a Final Eliminator for the IBF Super-Lightweight World Title at<\/p>\n

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