FROM Hungary to Latvia, and Egypt to Tanzania, Prince Patel has had an unusual journey to “world champion” status.
The Londoner, 30, left his homeland in a bid to further his boxing career after unceremoniously splitting with Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions.
Warren, 71, saw something in Patel back in 2015, even after the outspoken prospect had been dropped by Steve Goodwin.
But his spell with Queensberry would be an underwhelming one, underlined by his poor draw with little-known Peruvian Juan Hinostroza.
He fought once more in the UK after the Hinostroza set-back, beating Patrik Bartos at Harrow Leisure Centre before falling into British boxing obscurity.
On the period that followed, he later told World Boxing News: “It was very difficult. I didn’t know many sports agents or managers to speak to.
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“I just had to engage my brain and think of promoters and managers to contact.
“It’s been very difficult. I don’t classify myself as a manager or a matchmaker or anything, but I’ve had to do that and help develop my career.”
Patel has even come up with a rather crude nickname for himself – the ‘GirthQuake’ and uses the hashtag on much of his social media postings.
In 2017 he headed to Hungary, beginning his rebuild with a series of victories against low level opposition.
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More low-key wins in Poland, Latvia and the Czech Republic followed – Patel padding his unbeaten record.
Eventually a first world title shot materialised, with Patel fighting Michell Banquez in Jeddah four years ago for IBO gold.
He was soon back to the drawing board, however, after losing via unanimous decision.
Patel responded by stringing together ten wins on the spin, even ending his UK exile by beating Goodluck Mrema in Tolworth along the way.
When the IBO world bantamweight title became vacant earlier this year, Patel jumped at the opportunity to fight late replacement Aliu Bamidele Lasisi in Accra, Ghana.
While the IBO belt has been much maligned, Patel didn’t care a jot as he earned the right to call himself world champ by beating Lasisi.
After his win he proudly declared: “The first and only Indian Professional Boxing world champion. One in a Billion. Mission complete, over and out.”
Patel has long courted a shot at fellow Brit Sunny Edwards, with the pair having beefed online.
He said of Edwards: “He’s scared. He clearly doesn’t want to fight me for obvious reasons.”
After Patel got into an altercation with heavyweight Frazer Clarke, Edwards clapped back on social media: “This what you get for running your mouth on the internet 🤣 Prince Patel getting gripped up.”
While he has carved out a successful career abroad, Patel would surely love a big UK spot now that he has his IBO belt.
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Whether or not that opportunity comes, he is bound to quickly put his belt on the line – having fought four times this year.
Now 29-1-2, who knows where boxing’s journeyman champion will pop up next.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
