It’s the first NXTGEN offering of the year at the Newcastle Arena this Saturday evening, as Cyrus Pattinson vies for the vacant WBA International welterweight title over a scheduled ten rounds against former British and Commonwealth champion, Chris Jenkins.
Pattinson vs Jenkins is live on DAZN worldwide, while Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing promote.
Pattinson (5-0, 3 KOs) is highly touted by his handlers, and he has made swift progress as a pro after a solid amateur career.
The Northumberland native was stepped up to ten round level in his most recent outing, in September 2022, and he claimed the vacant IBO Intercontinental strap by stopping Jorick Luisetto in six, a man that had taken Florian Marku the full eight rounds previously.
Jenkins (23-6-3, 8 KOs) will be a tough prospect for the 28-year-old, but is winding down his career somewhat.
The Welshman has lost three of his last four, but has been competitive.
The 34-year-old lost his British and Commonwealth belts in July 2021, stopped by Ekow Essuman, and after outscoring the faded Julius Indongo at the start of last year, ‘Rok’n’Rolla’ was then stopped by Florian Marku, and defeated on points in a tight decision loss against Tyrone McKenna to round out the year.
Prediction: Pattinson will need to be patient here, but Jenkins has visited the canvas on many occasions, and I think the home favourite can halt the brave visitor after halfway, possibly to the body.
Price meets Masson
Leeds talent Hopey Price goes for another fringe title, as he contests the vacant WBA Continental super bantamweight title against France’s Thomas Masson.
Price (9-0, 3 KOs) went through the motions in 2022, winning three times and barely losing a round.
Masson (20-5-1, 7 KOs) is a former European champion at flyweight, and has challenged for world honours in his professional career.
Prediction: I fancy Price to come through clearly on the scorecards here.
Dacres faces Ismay
Solomon Dacres (5-0, 1 KO) steps up to title level after going ten rounds for the first time in his last fight, and the promising heavyweight can take the vacant English title with a stoppage win against Robert Ismay (11-0, 4 KOs), whose unbeaten record is heavily flattering, having only been six rounds once, and those were two minute rounds.
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McCormack battles Socci
Pat McCormack (3-0, 2 KOs) makes his first appearance of 2023 after fighting three times last year, and the 2020 Olympic silver medalist goes over a scheduled eight rounds for the first time, and he should outscore Dario Socci (15-7-2, 6 KOs) in their welterweight contest.
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Remaining Undercard
Fellow former Team GB member, Calum French (3-0, 1 KO) also sees action, and the lightweight will likely need all eight frames to see off Jordan Ellison (14-44-3, 1 KO).
The final eight rounder is at super middleweight, where Mark Dickinson (4-0, 1 KO) can score a stoppage win against Ben Ridings (5-3).
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In four round action, Adam Reichard (1-0) should outscore Jahfieus Faure (1-11-1) at lightweight, and Muhammed Ali makes a debut, where he can take a points win at super bantamweight against Sean Jackson (0-6-1).
At light flyweight, Maisey Rose Courtney (1-0) can also come through on the referee’s card against Buchra El Quassi (3-4-3, 1 KO).
