Christmas Cracker at Houghton topped by Ritson v Ellison Northern Area title fight

Some of Wearside's top talent will be in action at the area's final boxing bash of the year.
Lewis Ritson listens as Martin Ward (right) speaks at today's press conference at Rainton Meadows Arena. Picture by STU NORTONLewis Ritson listens as Martin Ward (right) speaks at today's press conference at Rainton Meadows Arena. Picture by STU NORTON
Lewis Ritson listens as Martin Ward (right) speaks at today's press conference at Rainton Meadows Arena. Picture by STU NORTON

Seaham’s Jordan Ellison will top the bill at Houghton on Saturday, December 3, when he challenges for the vacant Northern Area lightweight title against unbeaten Lewis Ritson.

And there are a number of leading fighters on the undecard at the Rainton Meadows Arena – super-bantamweight title hopeful Martin Ward and unbeaten Sunderland amateurs-turned-pros Isaac Macleod and Warren Baister.

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The event, dubbed ‘Christmas Cracker’ is a joint Fighting Chance-Phil Jeffries promotion and the Wearside fight figure is excited with the cast list.

“It’s big show,” said Jeffries. “We have 16 bouts planned now but if we ended up with 12 I’ll be happy.

“We’ve called it Christmas Cracker and that’s exactly what it will be.

“My aim is to always deliver value for money, quality boxing and as many 50-50 fights as I can get on the bill!

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“Just look at the top of the bill, it has the makings of a classic Northern Area title fight.

“I manage Lewis and I’m confident in him winning and hope a win will be a stepping stone tobigger fights and titles but I know how good Jordan has become over the last six months or so.

“He’s come on leaps under Peter Cope in Hartlepool – he’s a totally different fighter now.

“Look what he did at the weekend – he’s gone up to Edinburgh to box an unbeaten Scottish kid and beat him.”

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Ritson’s record is an impressive one – 11 straight wins, with five inside the distance, compared to six victories and eight defeats for Ellison. However, in boxing, a man’s fight log cannot always be judged in black and white.

The 20-year-old has spent his spell with the Gus Robinson Developments gym in Hartlepool on the road

“This is not a walkover, far from it, it looks a dodgy fight to me,” added Jeffries. “Anyone who thinks this is going to be an easy night for Lewis could not me more wrong.”

The chief support will be a British Masters battle between unbeaten Thornley light-welterweight Darren Surtees and Halifax’s Luke “The Nuke” Keleher.

The undercard will include Baister, Macleod and Ward.

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“Martin’s top class and I’m hoping next year we’ll have hom boxing for the European title,” added Jeffries. “It’s great having Isaac on and I’m hoping to confirm Warren’s place on the bill soon. I can’t wait for the show.”