Shutout win for Joe Fitzpatrick on Dublin debut

Not quite the slick performance that has greased the Belfast praise wheel, but an impressive display nontheless by Joe Fitzpatrick in Dublin.

The Mark Dunlop lightweight registered a shut out 40-36 points win against a brave Gyula Tallosi  in his first ever Dublin-hosted pro fight.

The National Stadium faithful didn’t quite get to see the kind of display that has Belfast fight fans earmarking the youngster as one to watch, but it was a solid short notice win for Fitzpatrick all the same

Fitzpatrick tried early to get his backhand into play early, but his opponent was happy to spoil making the first round a rather sloppy affair.

The fighter, who last appeared in York Hall in June, found his range in the second landed two nice early left hooks, one which stiffened the legs of the Hungarian, who was stopped in two by Sean Creagh.

A straight left followed down the stretch and the Belfast fighter started to enjoy himself. In third the former Commonwealth Games medalist flirted with the stoppage. A body shot took the wind out Tallosi allowing ‘The Dragon’ to pile on the pressure, to the away fighters credit he attempted to fight off the ropes, but the Belfast prospect opened up and hurt the brave Hungarian more than once.

Referee Emile Tiedt considered stepping in, but Tallosi showed enough for the man in the middle to allow the fight continue.

The fourth saw a more measured Fitzpatrick against an opponent in survival mode and it was more flair than fight as the undefeated stylist showed off a skill set and shot selection.

The result sees Fitzpatrick improve to 6(4)-0, while Tallosi falls to 12(8)-15(8)-0.