Eddie Hearn urges Lewis Ritson to keep cool versus Paul Hyland Jr

The fire-fighting approach that has suited Lewis Ritson [15(9)-0] so well to date won’t work against Paul Hyland Jr tonight warns Eddie Hearn.

The Newcastle lightweight has been brought home to co-headline a bill on the back of a three knockout British title wins.

Ritson dethroned Robbie Barrett last October before blitzing Joe Murray and Scott Cardle to move within one win of owning the Lonsdale belt outright.

It has been impressive from the 24-year-old but his promoter doesn’t believe that blitz approach should be applied against the undefeated Hyland [18(7)-0].

“He has to be smart here and keep his cool,” Hearn told Sky Sports before predicting a knockout win would kick Ritson on to the next level. 

“Hyland can punch and is a very smart fighter, but if he can deal with him like he dealt with Barrett, Murray and Cardle, then you have to say he is ready for that next step.”

It has been somewhat of a meteoric rise for Ritson and one Hearn believes is remarkable.

“It’s one the most remarkable turnarounds I’ve seen in a career,” said Hearn of the fighter who has personally sold 1,200 tickets for tonight’s card at the Metro Radio Arena.

“A year ago he was thinking about quitting the sport and looking for jobs, and now he is on the verge of winning the Lonsdale belt outright in front of 8,000 Geordies at the Metro Arena.”