FRANKIE Strinati of Penarth Amateur Boxing Club boxed Josh Artico of Splott ABC on March 6 at Earlswood social club held by Splott ABC.

Artico is a very experienced opponent winning 15 of his 18 fights and he is also a year older than Frankie.

Frankie was told to box strong off his front leg by coach Neil Munn as he knew Artico was a very strong lad who was a big puncher himself.

Artico left himself open if an opponent was strong enough to his ground; Neil knew that Frankie was easily strong enough.

The bell sounded for the first round and Frankie did exactly what he had been told, landing some lovely solid straight jabs going through the middle. Artico was very strong on the inside loading up with some big bombs, but Frankie took these then came straight through the middle with some really good uppercuts.

About a minute after the round began, Artico went to step in and Frankie met him in the middle, hitting with a perfect right hand sending Artico to the canvas face first.

Neil knew there was no way he was getting up and the referee counted him out. After a few minutes Artico got up and although a little dazed was fine.

Frankie is still only 15 and it is quite unusual to be knocking people out at this age. When asked about it Neil said “that Frankie has been showing this sort of power for quite a while and it was only a matter of time until he produced it in a fight and I think there will be a lot more to come.”

Frankie, already being the Welsh Champion twice, defends his title for the third time in April. Other Penarth ABC fighters in the championships are Emily Griffiths and Jake Downs, good luck to them all.