by Jacob Kilbride

YORK boxer Michael Fafera admits he didn’t execute his game plan in victory over Edgars Sniedze - but reckons he’ll take plenty of lessons from it.

Fafera recorded his third win in as many professional fights after taking a 39-37 points decision over the Latvian at the Elland Road Pavilion in Leeds.

It was the first time he’d gone the distance as a pro after two quickfire first-round knockout wins. And, while he had stated beforehand he wanted to get rounds under his belt this time, he was still disappointed to have started so slowly.

“It didn’t exactly go to plan,” he told The Press.

“I came out in the first round a little bit too relaxed, thinking he was going to be a lot easier of an opponent than what he turned out to be.

“My plan was to stick to my jab and not fall in and take many punches, but I felt like I did everything but that in there.

“But I have to take the positives out of the win. To be honest, I didn’t want to come here and stop someone early like I have done in my first two fights.

“Edgars Sniedze was a very tough and experienced lad, so it was hard to stop him.”

He added: “I boxed at a good pace. I feel like I’ll learn a lot from that fight.

"I did underestimate him and that cost me the first round.”

Fafera had a tough time dealing with the 31-bout veteran Sniedze, who constantly made the right rough, forcing the 24-year-old to dig in and thoroughly work for each round he won.

“The fight was a great experience for me, I felt like I learned a lot," he went on.

"One thing I’m really happy about is that I kept fighting until the final bell, something I’ve not done before in my career.

“I’m disappointed obviously that I didn’t manage to get the stoppage, but I boxed well against a really tough kid and have got some hard-fought rounds in the bank.”

He added: “I did have to dig in and show a bit of heart – attributes that play a massive part in this sport. I felt like I’ve shown both of those in that performance.

“Credit to Edgars as well because he showed heart too. I caught him with a big body shot in the third."

Fafera was keen to thank the support from his home city.

“I want to say a massive thank you to all of the supporters that came out to support me," he said.

"A lot of people came over from York and I know people who took days off work to be there and support me and that really does mean a lot.

“Without the support of those guys, I couldn’t do what I’m doing.”

Fafera now plans to fight again at the Elland Road Pavilion in a show on May 5.

He added: "It’s a Bank Holiday Sunday so hopefully my supporters can make the trip down there again to come and support me and watch some other great fights.”