Lewis Ritson claimed the Lonsdale belt outright with a merciless first round TKO of previously-unbeaten Paul Hyland Jr. in-front of a partisan home crowd at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle.
Ritson – whose record British title run has seen him rack up three successful defences in under four rounds combined – pounced on his opponent from the opening bell, shaking Hyland with a ram-rod left jab in the opening exchanges.
A right hand from Ritson exploded off of the top of Hyland’s head shortly after, sending the Irishman reeling to the canvas inside the opening 90 seconds.
Showcasing his now trademark brutality, Ritson would jump on his fallen foe, pounding him relentlessly to the head and body and sending Hyland crumbling to the canvas once again.
With a raucous Newcastle crowd baying for blood, Ritson would oblige, launching a final assault on Hyland and sending him reeling to the deck for the final time.
Despite bravely dragging himself to his feet, Hyland would be saved from further punishment by the referee, bringing a halt to the contest and sending the capacity Newcastle crowd into raptures in the process.