The 25-year-old failed in his quest to become the European champion in front of hometown legend Alan Shearer after losing a split decision against Francesco Patera in Newcastle last night.
Ritson bossed the opening three rounds, but his 25-year-old opponent began to grow in confidence, and landed a huge body shot on the knockout artist in the fifth round.
And in a post uploaded to his Facebook account, the Sandman apologised to his fans, while also detailing his gruesome injury.
The British champ said: "Just want to thank the whole of Newcastle for getting behind a normal lad from Forest Hall last night, no excuses better man won!
"Caught with a body shot couldn't recover, been p***ing blood all night so must have been a good shot.
"Feel like I've let the whole of Newcastle, family and friends down, didn't stick to the game plan Fano (Neil Fannan) give (sic) me, just want to say sorry again.
"Back to the drawing board and back out."
Ritson – who lost with judges scores of 112-116, 116-112, and 116-112 – busted up Patera's nose at the start of the second round, but was second best in the second half of the bout.
Patera insisted he would welcome a rematch against the Geordie Genady Golovkin, though Ritson could decide he wants to move up to super-lightweight.
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