Cyrus boxes clever to take the gold medal with Polish-ed performance

Pattinson was victorious in the Feliks Stamm tournament in Warsaw, which is one of the toughest events on the Eastern European calendar.

And he did it in style, topping the welterweight division with two outstanding performances.

This is an event where former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis met with success in the early part of his career.

“There were four of us in the welterweight class,” said Pattinson.

“One of the Polish representatives pulled out and I drew the Polish number one, Damian Kiwior, who had 10 WSB fights.

“He went the distance with Cuban Yasniel Toledo so he was experienced and durable.

“However, I completely outclassed him, taking a 3-0 unanimous verdict in his own back yard.

“I then boxed the Czech, Zdenek Chladek, in the final.

“He was the 2008 World Youth bronze medallist, a 2012 Olympic representative, and a former Feliks Stamm champion, so again I knew it was going to be tough.

“The game plan was to box at range with having a significant height advantage, and use the ring, which is what I did.

“In the third round I held my feet a little bit more and started to dictate at close range too, rolling under Zdenek’s hooks and aggressive style.

“I took a 2-1 split decision to take gold, and the only judge that gave it against me was, ironically, the Czech judge.

“I’m really happy to bring the gold home. I’ve trained extremely hard since the Olympics to put small things right. Now I’m looking towards the European Championships and World Championships next year, where I know I can reach the medals.”