Fight Town I show a big success for Paddy Fitzpatrick-trained Swindon boxers

BOXING trainer Paddy Fitzpatrick celebrated a highly successful debut for Swindon’s Fight Town show series, with a 100 per cent record for his fighters on Saturday night.

The inaugural Fight Town event, promoted by Neilson Boxing in association with Fitzpatrick’s own Trifecta group, saw eight fighters that were either trained at the Irishman’s Ferndale Road gym or hail from Swindon emerge with victories.

Bill-topper Luke ‘the Duke’ Watkins, who was back competing in his home town for the first time in two years, was awarded victory over Ossie Jervier by unanimous decision at the end of their 10-round cruiserweight bout, while Ryan Martin stopped Zoltan Szabo in the eighth round of their welterweight clash.

Fitzpatrick also paid tribute to one of his lesser-known fighters, Phil Williams, after the Swindon-born heavyweight claimed his second professional victory at his 15th attempt.

Reflecting on an enjoyable night of boxing at Oasis Leisure Centre, Fitzpatrick said: “It was a successful night – seven out of seven for my fighters.

“More importantly, it was a successful night for the partnership with Mark Neilson and the promotions and having a successful show.

“Ryan (Martin) was absolutely beautiful and immaculate. I thought Duke (Luke Watkins) was excellent, I thought he won every round.

“And big Phil (Williams), let me not forget Phil. For him to get that win was just beautiful for him, beautiful.”

Elsewhere in Fitzpatrick’s stable of fighters, there were wins for Bradley Townsend, Bec Connolly, Sam ‘Sniper’ Smith and Jensen Irving.

Meanwhile, Said Eltuev, who lives in Swindon, also picked up a win over Kevin McCauley.

Irving was making his professional debut, having previously admitted to the Swindon Advertiser that he had struggled with marijuana use before turning his life around to focus on a career in boxing.

Fitzpatrick said nerves played a part in the early rounds before the 29-year-old settled down to claim victory in impressive style.

“I thought Jensen Irving was excellent,” said Fitzpatrick.

“First round – tentative – the nerves were killing him. He got out there and he nearly fell down crying there.

“But after that first round, after he got into it, there were pockets of fantastic work from him going in orthodox and springing out southpaw, but still attacking from that stance.”

Experienced super-middleweight Smith stopped Harry Matthews in the fourth round of their fight and Fitzpatrick felt it was a mature performance from the 26-year-old Swindon resident.

“I thought Sniper (Smith) boxed really well because I told him to not try and look good, just be clean, be correct, be at range when he gets in there,” said Fitzpatrick.

“He got countered with those big hooks a few times when he shot the right hand out and brought it back a bit low.

“So for him to just keep it simple and get back, I’m very happy.”