Patch - another real Farrell fighting force
That’s my boy…Paddy congratulates Patch on a famous victory
THE Farrell family – driving force behind Birmingham’s 2nd City amateur club, really are a fighting force.
And they’re celebrating after yet another famous victory. This time it’s Patrick “Patch” Farrell making the headlines, not older brother Niall, the Team GB boxer who recently turned pro.
Patch was, to some degree, thrown in at the deep end for his first senior amateur contest. What’s more, the 18-year-old had been out of the ring for six months.
He and the family travelled to The Mill, Wookey Hole Caves, Somerset, for a featherweight tussle with Louis Merryweather (Weston Warriors), Western Counties champ and a semi- finalist in this year’s elite ABAs.
The Farrells on tour – I’d imagine that was something to behold.
With the odds stacked against him, Patch recorded a famous victory over 21-year-old Merryweather.
I leave dad Paddy, the 2nd City boss, to give a blow-by-blow account of the famous victory:
“Patch was nervous after being out of the ring for six months, but he was looking fantastic in the changing room.
“He has great balance and range, he switches from orthodox to southpaw so naturally. The first bell went and Patch took the centre in seconds. He found his range, the jabs were popping out like rockets and he was setting up his backhand.
“Louis was throwing back, but just missing and every time Patch came back with nice, fast one-twos.
“The second round saw the Western Counties champion take ring centre. Louis’ corner knew he needed to start using his man strength. Patch moved just off centre, created angles and scored from the outside.
“Louis caught Patch with a lovely big right hand. It bounced off Patch and he stepped in with a four punch combination. The second round was closer as both boxers tried to keep the fast pace up.
“Being away from home we needed to win the last round beyond argument. I sent Patch out there and told him to hold the ring centre. He held his feet and let fast shots go, scoring to the head and body.
“Both boxers gave it everything. It was a fantastic fight and a pleasure to watch - two top lads giving it everything on a Saturday night in Somerset.”
Patch, like Niall, is a talent. And let’s not forget the other fine fighting Farrell, Farran.
Paddy added: “Patch’s boxing career started off with an unbeaten streak of 10 fight, 10 wins - that’s massive in the amateurs.
“Then he was on the wrong end of bad decisions in the championship year after year. So patch started working with me on the scaffolding when he left school. Boxing took a bit of a backseat, but one thing about scaffolding is it keeps you fit and strong.
“And he’s one of the fittest in the gym. He has a few weeks off, working away, comes back and in two weeks is firing on all cylinders.
“The other boxers think he’s not human. His brothers train like mad and he comes in beats them on the runs and just laughs. Niall and Farran are fuming.”
*Calling all amateur clubs! Send your reports and photos to mike_lockley@outlook.com