Joy of Six: Joe Fitzpatrick dominant in step up win

Joe Fitzpatrick stepped up to six rounds tonight in Belfast with absolute ease.

The Divis lightweight made the jump on the MHD Promotions ‘Inquisition’ dinner show at the Europa Hotel. His opponent here was Hungarian Tamas Laska and ‘The Dragon’ would stroll to victory against what was an extremely awkward and negative foe.

In what was one-sided fight, Fitzpatrick claimed a points triumph after six rounds

Fitzpatrick began well with some beautifully disguised uppercuts and would buzz the Central European with a backhand left toward the end of the round.

Perhaps wary of his opponent’s wild head, southpaw Fitzpatrick seemed in second gear as the second round started. He would step it up in the final thirty however – and would be caught by a cheap shot to the back of the head by Laska in response which elicited displeasure from the crowd.

The Belfast youngster came out strong in the third, pounding the body of Laska who would have a permanent grimace etched across his face, but the cagey Magyar would see out the round as Fitzpatrick poured forward.

Laska was ready to go in the fourth, and Fitzpatrick forced him from corner to corner before the journeyman seemed to find a second wind and stem the flow of shots.

Going into the fifth for the first time in his career, Fitzpatrick began to take a more patient approach as Laska retreated more into his shell.

The Immaculata boxer continued to press in the final round against his survivalist opponent who would, to his credit, manage to see out the fight.

With the result in no doubt, the final scorecard read 60:54 in favour of Fitzpatrick.

The dominant win sees Fitzpatrick move to 7(4)-0, while Laska falls to 16(8)-12(5).

Photo Credit: Laszlo Geczo Photography

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Eric Donovan joins Gavan Casey and Joe O’Neill on Episode 2 of the Irish Boxing Show: