Lewis Ritson’s rise to a European title shot has been as quick as each of his three British Lightweight title defences. His unwavering approach to boxing has made him the biggest ticket seller in Newcastle, and an attraction all over Britain.

Having not found a suitable dance partner to take him past the opening stanza’s in the UK, Ritson 17-0(11KO’s) looks to Belgium’s Francesco Patera to take him into uncharted waters.

Patera 19-3(7KO’s) was a proud owner of his Lightweight belt when he edged Edis Tatli (W SD 12 & L UD 12) last May, but was beaten 7 months later by the same man.

Patera is a hard working boxer who lacks a dig to go with his activity. He pushed Sean Dodd (L SD 10) all the way in his last visit to British shores, but was handily beaten by Yvan Mendy (L UD 12) several years ago.

Each of Robbie Barrett (W TKO 7), Joe Murray (W TKO 1), Scott Cardle (W TKO 2) and Paul Hyland Jr (W TKO 1) have come unstuck in the last 12 months when faced with the explosiveness of ‘The Sandman’.

Even going back a bit further he is one of just five to stop the tough Jordan Ellison (W PTS 6 & W KO 7) and one of just three to halt capable journeyman Nathan Hardy (W TKO 2).

With the upmost respect to Patera, this is not about whether Ritson gets the job done, but simply whether or not he can become the first man to stop the visitor.

Patera is unlikely to sink into his shell, so the answer to that question is a definitive yes. As he rises through the levels, Ritson is likely to meet a match to defuse his gung-ho style, but Patera is not that man, and through gritting his teeth early he can see himself reach the halfway mark, but no further as Ritson finds the finishing combination in the 7th.