Boxing’s Unpredictability: Paddy Donovan vs Lewis Ritson
Boxing is a sport that is known for its unpredictability, but occasionally there are matchups that seem to have an inevitable outcome. The welterweight clash between Paddy Donovan and Lewis Ritson was one of those fights.
In January, Donovan faced William Herrera on short notice, and while he promised a better performance against Ritson, he still had to prove himself against the former British lightweight champion. Donovan, a slick and skilled southpaw, delivered on his promise, ultimately stopping Ritson in the ninth round.
The fight started off slowly, with both fighters feeling each other out. Donovan, with his record of 14-0 and 11 knockouts, circled the ring while Ritson, with a record of 23-4 and 13 knockouts, patiently pressed forward with his high-held guard. Donovan, aware of Ritson’s past weakness to body shots, looked for the opening with his left uppercut. However, Ritson remained calm and composed.
Making only his third appearance in three years and fighting at 147 pounds for the first time, Ritson tried to draw Donovan into a brawl. But Donovan, not willing to overcommit, stuck to single shots, which gave Ritson some confidence going into the third round. He began to pressure Donovan, who was using his jab and left hand to keep Ritson at bay but lacked the power and aggression to truly rattle his opponent.
It was an odd performance from Donovan, who had a stationary target in front of him but failed to fully capitalize on it. He maintained a steady pace, but it lacked the flair and aggression that we have seen from him in the past.
But in the seventh round, something changed. Donovan suddenly took control of the center of the ring and pushed Ritson back. Whether it was a planned strategy or a response to Ritson weakening, it worked in Donovan’s favor. He continued to press forward in the eighth, pinning Ritson on the ropes and unleashing a barrage of precise punches. Ritson survived the round, but the relentless attack continued in the ninth. In just 32 seconds, the referee, Howard Foster, stepped in to stop the fight and save Ritson from further punishment.
Kosport Magazine’s Take
Paddy Donovan showed his superior skills and patience in this matchup against Lewis Ritson. While Ritson may have had the advantage in terms of size and experience, Donovan proved to be the more composed and precise fighter. Despite some lulls in his performance, Donovan ultimately delivered a dominant victory. As for Ritson, this loss will surely force him to reevaluate his approach to future fights.
