Wednesday 20 June 2018 16:18, UK
Lewis Ritson admits it would be an honour for Newcastle legend Alan Shearer to walk him out for a fight in his hometown.
The 24-year-old lightweight raised the roof of the Metro Radio Arena on Saturday when stopping Paul Hyland Jr in the opening round to win the coveted British title outright and is due to return to the same venue in October.
He's a legend isn't he. A city legend, so it would be class getting 'Big Al' to walk me out
'Sandman' has just signed a new five-fight deal with Eddie Hearn, who has mentioned a potential fight at St James' Park, and Ritson welcomed the prospect of being accompanied to the ring by one of Newcastle United's most famous strikers.
"He's a legend, isn't he? A city legend, so it would be class getting 'Big Al' to walk in with you," Ritson revealed, speaking exclusively to Sky Sports.
"I don't know if he would do it, but it would be nice if he would."
He added: "I'll be back at the Metro Radio Arena in October and it'll be a big fight. The atmosphere was electric last time out so that is where I want to keep fighting.
"I haven't spoken about the level of opponent yet, that's for the team to decide, but we will accept whoever, we don't knock back fights.
"St James' Park, hopefully, it's a dream to fight there, but we have a long way to go before that happens.
"I'd like the European title next, to do the traditional route after British, and then maybe a world ranking fight after that.
"We've just signed a new contract, another five-fight deal, with Eddie Hearn so he's the boss and will tell us who and where we're fighting and we'll go with it."
Ritson's rise has been meteoric and the knockout artist has even spent time with Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez as his profile continues to grow in the city.
"I have met Rafa and showed him the belt a couple of months ago, so that was good," Ritson continued.
"He was doing a bit of shadow boxing and chucking out the jab, he asked if I had any tips for taking on the new West Brom manager [Darren Moore]!
"He's doing a good job with Newcastle, but we need to give him some more signings to do even better. I had a season ticket for seven or eight years at St James' Park and get down to see them play every now and then.
"The fans are great and, like Josh Warrington in Leeds, if we can get a similar kind of support in Newcastle, it'll be massive. It was good on Saturday but, hopefully, it will get bigger and bigger."
