Dzmitry Asanau did not have any issues in what was supposed to be a step up in class.

The two-time Olympian for Belarus went 10 rounds for the first time in his young career Thursday but effortlessly turned away Francesco Patera in a lopsided unanimous decision victory. Scores were 100-90, 100-90 and 98-92 for Asanau in their ESPN+ headliner at Montreal Casino in Asanau’s current hometown of Montreal.

Asanau and his team have already set their sights on the lightweight elite but are aware of the steps needed to get to that point. With that came the decision to secure the services of Belgium’s Patera, a tough-as-nails gatekeeper who has yet to be stopped through 36 pro fights across his 13-year career.

There was not any threat of ending that run on Thursday, though Asanau doesn’t fight for knockouts. The gifted boxer put on a brilliant display behind a heavy jab, which set up combinations throughout the night.

Patera’s lone moment of success came late in the seventh round. Asanau initiated nearly every offensive exchange but was left open for a right hand to the chin, which he took well.

It was smooth sailing to the finish line for Asanau, whose hand speed and high ring IQ constantly befuddled a determined but outclassed Patera. That skill set was on display in the final round as Asanau dug in and fired off power shots when necessary – but knew to play defense when Patera attempted a last-gasp effort to erase a massive deficit on the scorecards. 

Patera, 30-6 (11 KOs), is now 2-3 in his past five starts. He dropped a July 2023 10-round decision to Keyshawn Davis, 13-0 (9 KOs), now the WBO lightweight titlist and a future target for Asanau, 10-0 (4 KOs).

Prior to Thursday’s result, Asanau – who celebrated his three-year pro anniversary in February – went the eight-round distance five times in his young career. He fought a scheduled 10-rounder in his previous outing, last November against Argentina’s Matias Rueda, whom he stopped in the fifth round to win a regional title.

Although just 28 years old, Asanau is being moved aggressively by his team. The belief is that his rich amateur pedigree – including Olympic tours at the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Games – is experience enough to cut to the chase in the pro ranks.

Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as a senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home. Follow Jake on X and Instagram.