Scott Cardle to challenge for Lewis Ritson's British title

The fight, to take place at The O2 arena in London, will be aired live on Sky Sports.

Last month, Cardle watched on as the unbeaten Ritson retained the Lonsdale belt with a first round stoppage of Joe Murray in Manchester.

The 28-year-old will be looking to regain the belt he lost in April of last year, when he was outpointed by Yorkshire fighter Robbie Barrett.

Newcastle-based Ritson then went on to snatch the belt with a dominant performance just six months later, knocking out Barrett in the sixth round.

“Lewis showed against Murray what he can do,” Cardle said.

“He’s a deserved British champion but obviously I believe that he’s just holding that belt for me to take it from him.

"He’s an honourable guy so hats off to him for fighting me next, anyone that knows me knows that I didn’t show up against Barrett in Glasgow, what he did to Robbie is what I could’ve done, but I wasn’t myself that night. No excuses – I wasn’t good enough.

“I’ve had a six rounder since that fight but this is the one I want. I need to get that title back and show that I am the best in Britain.

“Joe Gallagher was in Germany with Callum Smith so the preparation wasn’t right to do it in Manchester, but I’ll be fully prepared for March 24 and ready to get my belt back.”

Ritson is confident he has more than enough to retain his belt.

He said: “I’ve made a couple of statements now by beating Barrett and then Murray – and I want to do it again against Cardle.

“We wanted the Cardle fight in Manchester but he pulled out. Scotty wants the title back and he’s in a similar position to Joe Murray was where he really needs to win the fight but if he gets beat, where does he go? So that should make it a really good fight.

“Domestic level could be described as European level really as the lads at lightweight like Scotty and Sean Dodd are top fighters.

“I’ve sparred with all the top names like Ricky Burns, Anthony Crolla, Kiryl Relikh and of course Cardle – so boxing people know what I can do and now that I’m with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom on Sky Sports, the public are getting to see what I can do too.

“I’ve been on small hall shows in the past and now I’m headlining on Sky Sports and heading to The O2 on a big show – it’s amazing and I’m working hard to make sure that this is just the beginning.”

Ritson and Cardle will clash on the undercard of Dillian Whyte's fight against Lucas Browne for Whyte’s WBC Silver Heavyweight title.

Frank Buglioni also defends his British light-heavyweight title against Callum Johnson.