Francesco De Rosa (13-0-0, 8 KOs) is the new European super bantamweight champion after a commanding performance that saw him defeat Romania’s Ionut Baluta (18-7-1, 4 KOs) by unanimous decision, with the judges scoring the bout 116-112, 117-111 and 118-111.
At the Palasport Padiglione Expo in Calangianus, Sardinia, in the main event of the card promoted by Mario Loreni’s Promo Boxe Italia, the two fighters produced an intense and hard-fought contest. De Rosa’s technical superiority was evident, although he still had to deal with the Romanian’s energy and fighting spirit before gradually overwhelming him as the rounds went by.
Baluta started aggressively from the opening bell, immediately looking to bring his left hook into play. Francesco initially moved along the ropes, trying to get the measure of a difficult opponent who is well known for never giving in. Baluta has never been knocked out in his career and has always made life difficult for his opponents thanks to his excellent punch resistance, high work rate and ability to answer shot for shot while remaining composed and, above all, aggressive.
But Francesco’s qualities are clearly of a very high level. He moves quickly on his feet, is well planted when he punches and, most importantly, is highly reactive. As soon as Baluta increased the pace and left a few openings, our fighter went to work with fast, sharp punches, particularly the right hand.
In the early stages, the Romanian maintained a high work rate while De Rosa appeared more patient than usual, waiting for the right moment to step in with his punches. A beautiful left hook from Francesco landed flush on Baluta’s face in the third round. Baluta, however, responded immediately, swinging his arms almost compulsively in an attempt to return the shot he had just taken.
The third round saw De Rosa raise his level, using the jab and straight right in quick, crisp combinations. His jab was accurate and penetrating, although he used it too sparingly, especially considering how effective it proved every time Francesco landed it cleanly. Even so, the Salerno fighter’s combinations began to find the target with increasing frequency.
Baluta’s chin was extraordinary, as he virtually never lost his composure. He continued to answer punch for punch, even in the most difficult moments. With a little more power, he would be even more dangerous than he already is.
Baluta kept moving relentlessly, throwing punches from unusual angles. Technically, he can look somewhat rough, but he is literally a mule, in the most positive sense of the word: relentless, tough, stubborn and tireless. Even so, Francesco’s excellent timing allowed him to land the lead right hand and the left hook repeatedly.
At close range, the Romanian always responded with intensity, especially with his hooks, but De Rosa displayed excellent defensive skills, slipping most of them with clean, quick movements.
In the middle rounds, Baluta began to look somewhat fatigued. De Rosa’s punches started to take a significant toll, while the Romanian’s excessive punch output gradually wore down the 32-year-old from Constanta. De Rosa’s body work in the sixth round was excellent, mixed in with hooks to the head. Despite his fatigue, Baluta still fired back with the right hook.
It was then De Rosa’s turn to take a breather, although it was clear that our fighter remained fully switched on, agile and composed as he moved around the ring.
In the ninth round, Francesco went back on the attack at close quarters, finding openings for the left hook and right uppercut. Baluta, by then visibly worn down, repeatedly initiated clinches in an attempt to disrupt his opponent’s attacks and, above all, recover some energy.
At times, almost on instinct alone, he tried to respond with wide punches. The Romanian’s increasingly untidy attacks achieved little apart from making the fight more chaotic and draining what little energy he had left.
In the eleventh round, Baluta found himself completely exhausted and on the receiving end of a prolonged two-handed assault, literally at De Rosa’s mercy. By then largely unable to respond, he nevertheless refused to give up and somehow found enough energy to see out the fight, landing a few largely ineffective punches while Francesco was already fully aware that victory was his.
The unanimous decision was the correct verdict, and this victory could open the door for our fighter to bouts at world level.
Francesco De Rosa is not simply a technically sound fighter with an attractive style. Watching him, one gets a very clear impression of an authoritative boxer who is fully aware of his qualities, both in the way he carries himself in the ring and in the way he expresses himself through his boxing.
We now look forward with great anticipation to the next developments in his career.