Patrick Teixeira

Patrick Alen Teixeira, born on December 5, 1990, in Sombrio, Santa Catarina, Brazil, is a professional boxer who held the WBO light middleweight title from 2019 to February 2021. Teixeira turned professional in 2009, amassing an impressive record by winning his first 25 fights. This streak led to a significant bout against Curtis Stevens on May 7, 2016, where he suffered his first professional loss via a second-round stoppage.

Undeterred, Teixeira continued his career and on November 30, 2019, he faced Carlos Adames for the WBO interim light middleweight title. Despite being the underdog, Teixeira secured a unanimous decision victory, a win bolstered by a knockdown of Adames in the seventh round. Following this victory, he was elevated to full WBO light middleweight champion after Jaime Munguía moved up to the middleweight division. His title reign ended on February 13, 2021, when he lost to Brian Castaño via unanimous decision. Teixeira’s most recent fight occurred on June 8, 2024, against Xander Zayas at Madison Square Garden in New York, where he lost by unanimous decision after ten rounds.

Growing up in Brazil, a nation renowned for its rich sporting culture, particularly in soccer and combat sports, Teixeira’s environment played a significant role in shaping his boxing career. The country’s emphasis on resilience and determination is evident in Teixeira’s fighting style and career trajectory. His rise to become the fifth Brazilian to hold a world title in one of boxing’s major organizations has contributed to the sport’s visibility in Brazil, inspiring a new generation of boxers.

Patrick Alen Teixeira’s boxing style is heavily influenced by Brazilian martial arts, particularly Capoeira, known for its l dance-like movements. Much like Brazilian football star Vinícius Júnior, Teixeira’s ability to open up his hips and generate power is key to his boxing. Vinícius Júnior’s playstyle is centered around quick shifts in momentum and opening his hips to stop losing power when moving at high speed. This allows him to maintain balance and accelerate much like Teixeira in the ring.

Just like in Brazilian dance or football, the first step is crucial—much like a good jab. The jab establishes control over the flow of the fight. Teixeira’s footwork is equally fluid and dynamic, similar to the way Vinícius Júnior uses quick changes in direction and rapid shifts to break free from defenders. By slightly chopping his feet and adjusting his center of gravity, Teixeira maintains technical superiority while generating power in his punches. His ability to adjust his positioning, like a footballer shifting quickly to avoid tackles, helps him set up big combinations.

Having a solid center of gravity is crucial for Teixeira’s ability to crush through guards and land devastating face shots. Much like Vinícius Júnior’s dribbling style, where his low center of gravity allows him to swiftly maneuver around defenders, Teixeira uses his strong base to break through an opponent’s defense with ease. This gives him the ability to apply constant pressure, slipping under or over guards with fluid combinations. His stable core enables him to generate explosive power in both body and head shots, causing his opponents’ defenses to crumble, much like a skilled dribbler weaving through defenders on a soccer field. The lower center of gravity creates not only balance but also a potent advantage.