Lewis Ritson beats Paul Hyland Jr in first round to win British lightweight title outright
- Published
Lewis Riston knocked Hyland Jr down three times in the first round
Lewis Ritson won the British lightweight title outright by inflicting a first career defeat on Paul Hyland Jr in devastating fashion.
The Newcastle fighter floored Hyland three times in the opening round, prompting a stoppage.
By defending the Lonsdale Belt for the third time, Ritson, 24, gets to keep the title.
On the same card, Josh Kelly claimed the Commonwealth welterweight title from Australia's Kris George.
George - well behind on the cards - retired after the seventh round with a suspected broken right hand hampering him against 2016 Olympian Kelly.
Fighting at his city's Metro Arena, Newcastle's Kelly, 24, fought in his customary style with his hands low.
George now has two defeats in a 16-fight career and though durable, he always looked susceptible to the variety Kelly offered in attacks.
"I did get caught a few times and need to clean up a few things. It's part of the game and I'm only seven fights in, so am learning," said Kelly, who remains undefeated as a professional.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said: "His trainer Adam Booth wants to move him fast and he is going to need those challenges.
"He's just won the Commonwealth title without breaking sweat. He will need to be tested and then that's where you'll see his class come out."
'Ritson demolition - we dream big'
Ritson now has 16 wins from as many fights and his 10th knockout will only enhance hype around a fighter who almost quit the sport 12 months ago before claiming the British title in October by taking on Robbie Barrett at short notice.
"He's won the British title in four rounds in three defences," said promoter Eddie Hearn.
"We don't know where this story ends. He doesn't know what he has got but I haven't heard an atmosphere like that for a long time.
"European titles, world titles, we dream big. There's a lot of work to do but we are going to give it 100%."