REDDITCH Boxing Academy prospect Patrick Rolinson began his season in superb fashion with victory over a home boxer in Wellington, Shropshire.
The youth fighter has impressed under the tutelage of former Midlands champion and RBA head coach Sarah Lee and showed further evidence of his talents with a gritty win on his travels.
In the first of three hard-fought rounds, Rolinson dominated the centre of the ring, keeping his opponent at bay with stinging straight-punch combinations. Realising staying at range was going to prove challenging, the Wellington boxer forced the pace, scoring telling shots of his own and pushing the Redditch fighter on to the back foot.
Not allowing himself to be bullied, Rolinson switched tactics by moving away from his opponent at awkward angles and throwing lightning-fast punches to the target area. By the end of the first round, both fighters returned to the corners for their coaches’ instruction.
Recognising he was going to have to close the distance towards his opponent, the home fighter continued to force himself into range, attempting to hit the head of Rolinson who, following Lee’s instruction, changed tactics to stand his ground and meet his opponent with powerful straight rights and left hooks.
Both boxers set a ferocious pace and it was the visitor who won the round.
With everything still to fight for, the Wellington youngster pounced on his opponent from the opening second of round three but, unfazed, Rolinson stuck to the successful game plan of round two and met the aggressive Wellington fighter with the more telling punches.
Sensing an upset, home supporters were on their feet encouraging their boxer to pull it out of the bag and with 30 seconds to go both fighters stood toe-to-toe slugging it out, but it was Rolinson who punched with the greater effect.
The pair received a round of applause from the crowd for producing a highly-competitive and skilful bout. The Redditch youngster had his hand raised as winner by unanimous decision.
Refusing to rest on their laurels, Lee has Redditch boxers in action over the next three weeks, with southpaw Alex Tatlow and rangy boxer Lewis Wright in action today (Friday).
Rolinson is back in action on Saturday alongside club-mate James Wynne. The following weekend in Coventry, talented Midlands light welterweight champion Leo Fanthome steps up a weight division in search of national championship success.
If you want to compete or get more information on squad boxing, email [email protected] or call head coach Sarah Lee on 07541 133844.
