Bondi boxer beats off competition to take his first title

A 15-year-old from Bondi only started boxing 18 months ago and has worked his way to his first title

Patrick Francis and his trainer Maydad Ronen

A TENACIOUS young boxer has beaten off the competition to claim the Australian Boxing League Under-70 kg title after only taking up the sport 18 months ago.

Patrick Francis, a 15-year-old from Bondi, won his first title on Saturday night with a unanimous points decision over Newcastle’s Coby Howath.

Fighters came as far away as Queensland for the showdown at Bondi Junction RSL which featured 10 bouts.

The Rose Bay Secondary College student said he was a little bit nervous for his first title fight which he said went right down to the wire.

“He was about the same size as me so it was a good fight and it went all the way,” he said. “I had been training hard for the fight four times a week and it got more intense towards the fight.”

Patrick Francis, 15, in blue takes on Coby Howath

Maydad Ronen from Bondi Boxing Gym took the youngster under his wing, training him from scratch.

“Patrick is a keen disciplined young man who always listens and gives it a 110 per cent,” said Mr Ronen. “I have trained him from day one and have always believed in his ability.”

The talented fighter picked boxing over his other sport of choice, rugby league.

“I always liked boxing when I was growing up,” said Francis. “I would watch cartoons and boxing movies, but until recently I just did it for fun and fitness. Maydad has supported me from the start and put a lot of effort into me.”

The youngster aims to compete in the state titles in two months and wants to enter two fights beforehand to prepare himself.

Ray Upton also from Bondi Boxing and trained by Mr Ronen also won the ABL metro cruiser weight title on Saturday.