Lewis Ritson looks like he has a return date as he aims to continue his charge towards a world title.

The former British lightweight champion stepped up to super-lightweight last year and bounced back from his maiden career defeat.

Ritson (20-1, 12 KOs) challenged Francesco Patera for the European lightweight title back in October 2018, losing a split decision, at what was then the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle.

And after stepping up in weight, winning a fringe WBA crown and defending it once before beating domestic rival Robbie Davies Jr. in an official eliminator for the WBA world title, Boxing Scene understands ‘The Sandman’ will be back in action on April 4.

The Forest Hall man is set to headline a card at the Utilita Arena in the North East, exclusively live on Sky Sports and DAZN, having called for a money-spinning showdown against WBA Super, IBF and Ring Magazine world super-lightweight king Josh Taylor.

Taylor became the consensus number one in the 140-pound category back in October when he won the World Boxing Super Series tournament’s Muhammad Ali Trophy by handing America’s Regis Prograis his first defeat in the paid code.

Ritson will, it seems, be joined on the card by Savannah Marshall and a whole host of local talent as Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing work with MTK Global.

Marshall, from Hartlepool, has a record of 8-0 with six quick and was last in action on the same card as Ritson’s defeat of Davies Jr. when she took on and dismantled Missouri’s Ashleigh Curry.

The aforementioned Hearn, who now promotes Marshall, said recently that he would make representation to the British Boxing Board of Control for them to make a fight between Marshall and former IBO female super-welterweight titlist Hannah Rankin for the British title at middleweight.

Darren Reay, Chad Ellis and Simon Vallily are all contenders to be added to the card that has yet to be formally revealed.