FightPost Boxer of the Week: Francesco Patera

FightPost Boxer of the Week: Francesco Patera

By Michael Richards 

We were spoilt for action this weekend, making the pick “Boxer of the Week” has been a difficult one. Across countries and continents, there were many stand out performances.

The World Boxing Super Series quarter finals saw both Andrew Tabiti and Zolani Tete advance in fairly convincing fashion. Terence Crawford offered up a masterclass over in Omaha, stopping Jose Benavidez Jr in the final round, after landing a beautiful right uppercut to start the dismantling process.

On these shores, American Michael Hunter shocked those watching at York Hall, with a 10th round stoppage of much fancied Martin Bakole and Robbie Davies Jr overcame a bloody assignment to successfully take home the British and Commonwealth Super lightweight Titles, after a unanimous points victory over Glenn Foot in Newcastle. It was the main event of the Matchroom card in the north east that we find our deserving winner for this week.

Francesco Patera arrived in Newcastle to face home town favourite and British Champion Lewis Ritson, with not many people in the sport giving him much hope of upsetting the party. Despite this, he set out to upset the odds against hometown favourite Lewis Ritson.

The early rounds went the way most people expected, with Ritson’s jab and energy dictating the fight. It wasn’t until the 4th round that things began to change and the classy Italian showed all the doubters his fantastic boxing ability. Patera landed a beautiful shot to the body, which slowed Ritson down immediately. Ritson admitted post fight he just couldn’t recover from such a devastating blow.

From this moment, the Italian took total control of the fight. His energy and fitness was flawless. His flashy, rapid combinations were technically beautiful and hugely eye catching. He artistically dismantled Ritson, with a style that is one for the boxing purists. He became European Champion for the second time, in a fight in which he wasn’t given a chance by so many, let alone last 12 rounds. He did both and did it with the boxing elegance of a champion.