Windsor's Davide Finazzo Claims National Title

After two gruelling bouts and a knee scare, local kickboxer took gold in the 75 kg K-1 division at the WAKO National Championships.

Davide Finazzo returned home a national champion after claiming the WAKO 75 kg K-1 title in a hard-fought two-fight run, one that tested his body, his nerves, and his resolve in equal measure.

Finazzo opened the tournament against a tough first opponent before earning a walkover in the semi-finals, a small stroke of fortune that proved critical. The fight prior to the walkover had left him nursing a knee injury, and the extra recovery time heading into the finals may well have made the difference.

In the gold medal bout, he faced Nathan Ramos, a fighter who had knocked out his own opponent the night before. Finazzo went in with a game plan: stay calm, watch for that dangerous right hand, and lean on his speed and footwork.

"I was losing the first round. Second round I had to pick up the pace. Then the third round, I had to make sure I still got the win."

Down a round and facing a heavy puncher, Finazzo dug deep. He used his combination work and lateral movement to turn the tide, weathering Ramos's signature right hand and answering with left hooks of his own. By the final bell, Finazzo had done enough to take the decision.

"It taught me a lot about myself," Finazzo said afterward. "I went from barely being able to catch my breath to being completely on. It was amazing, man."

With the WAKO title now on his résumé, the local fighter has his eyes on next year's championship, likely his final outing in the amateur division before he crosses the ten-fight threshold and moves up to open class, where fighters of any experience level compete.

"I'm excited," Finazzo told Powerplay Sports. "I definitely want to do it all over again."