Alnwick born fighter Cyrus Pattinson is hoping to send a statement with a win over former British Welterweight Champion Chris Jenkins as the paid clash for the vacant WBA International Title. The two men will fight at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle on March 18th as part of Matchroom Boxing's NXTGEN card, featuring some of the North-East's most prestigious talents.
"I started boxing when I was about 12, I was between football and boxing at the time," Pattinson exclusively told Chronicle Live. "I wasn't really getting any fulfilment from football and I'd say I fell into boxing but I was going through a hard time, my mam was unwell.
"I was getting in trouble in school, out of school in trouble with the police. I was fighting in the streets and in school and I was naturally attracted to boxing and it was a form of self expression for me, but I was canny good at it.
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"I stuck with it and it's changed my life around. All of my grades at school got better and I went on to study A-levels, I left and I was kind of a role model by the time I left. Teachers tried to use me as an example and we've got a scholarship at Gateshead now for boxing and it went from there, I've not looked back."
Pattinson would make the long journey from Alnwick to Birtley Boxing Club after school from the age of 14. A commitment that helped put his life on the right track and open the door to opportunities with Team GB.
He said: "I was about 15 when I started getting the bus after school in Alnwick, the Metro from Newcastle to Gateshead and then the bus from Gateshead to Birtley, then walking to the gym.
"I was doing that six days a week there and back for a few years. I was 14-years-old and then obviously when I started driving, the traffic was just as bad!
"It was hard graft but I'm starting to get the rewards now, you don't really start to get the fruits of your labour until later on. I think you have to graft for a few year and then you get the fruits of your labour later on."
A four-time gold medalist during his amateur career, Pattinson turned professional back in Newcastle in June 2021, winning all five of his contests - with three coming by way of knockout. He'll fight out of his native North-East for just the second time since turning professional and he's hoping to thank those who've supported him on this journey.
"It's the second time since turning professional, the first time was a limited capacity so it was a nightmare," Pattinson said when asked about his debut against Yoncho Markov. "With fighting for Great Britain you fought all around the world so I never really got to fight on home soil.
"As a professional, it's been Barcelona, Nottingham, London, Manchester twice when the fights fell through, but as I turned professional, it was always something that I kind of looked forward to - fighting at the Metro Radio Arena. I always knew I was going to headline but I thought it would be later on in my career.
"To get there and kill two birds with one stone, a title and fight on home soil early on after five fights, it's a massive win."
The 28-year-old sent a real statement of intent last time out against Jorick Luisetto, winning the IBO Continental Champion belt. He said: "It was a great opportunity to be honest with you. I was only in training for the area title and we had two or three different opponents and they kept falling through.
"Matchroom said the area title wasn't happening, then a week before the fight - I trained the full fight for an orthodox fighter - a week before they said 'do you want to fight for the IBO title against a southpaw?' He was a fighter who was very durable and he hadn't been stopped, it was a massive step up.
"We took the opportunity and passed with flying colours. They've been giving me opportunities for my last few fights and I'm not sure they expected me - a lot of these fighters would knock these opportunities back - so when I take them and just do the business."
Pattinson has had his fair share of disappointments in his short professional career, with fighters pulling out at the last minute. Nonetheless, he's hoping a win against Jenkins will propel his career.
"It's never been smooth sailing to be honest with you. I'm a believes that when opportunities present themselves, you have to be ready to take them.
"I know that this fight will catapult me in line for British and Commonwealth title contention, my world ranking, my stock and profile will go up. It's a nice opportunity to give back to all the people that have supported me for so long.
"I haven't been able to give back they've only been able to watch me on the television. It can be expensive, especially if you're travelling away up and down the country, buying train tickets and fight tickets, hotels, food and drink, taking people with you, so it's nice to be on home soil just down the road.
"I'm not looking past him to be honest with you. I had my belt out for about four weeks after my last fight and then it went straight back in the case and it's out of the house now.
"I don't want anything to rob me of any ambition. I want to be looking forward, I'm not ready for the trophy room and I just don't want to be sitting and soaking up my achievements because there's plenty more I want to do in the sport.
"My eyes are firmly fixed on Chris Jenkins on the 18th. People are trying to say he's on the slide, but his last performance against Tyrone McKenna, he was in the fight and a lot of people thought he could have won it as well.
"He can do it all to be honest with you, he can box and have a tear up as well. I'm sure it'' be an exciting fight and I'm prepared for either one of those. I know what to do."
Pattinson will headline the card while North-East talents; Pat McCormack, Mark Dickinson and Calum French will all feature on the night. It'll give the opportunity for the North-East boxing fans to get behind some homegrown talent, with Pattinson saying he and his fellow Birtley trained fighters have talked about this moment throughout their career.
"Camp has been going really well," he said. "The initial date was February 11, so I've been in training since the start of December. I didn't know that there'd be a show in February in Newcastle, but I've been training since December.
"I slipped a disc in my back two weeks before my last fight so I struggled even getting ready and stuff never mind going to training. Once that was healed, we got back training in December and we've been away to Tenerife for a ten-day training camp in January.
"Training has been going good. It's beneficial having another two lads in the camp who are fighting on the same show. We're staying sharp and getting in together.
"It's a great feeling to be honest with you and something that we've always kind of talked about. Even before we got to Team GB.
"It wasn't as much of a pipe dream as we were all working towards it, training hard and achieving, but it was something that we all kind of envisioned and I feel like we've manifested it. It's years worth of graft that you've all done together, travelling and we all said that we'd be headlining shows in the North East.
"Now, there's a good squad of us on the show and I'm headlining it."
Pattinson is one of the brightest prospects in boxing, having come through his opening five fights without any major hiccups. However, he knows the opportunity in front of him as he looks to add another title to his collection.
"It would mean a massive amount," Pattinson said. "It's probably one of the most prestigious governing bodies and it would be another step in the right direction. I want to keep pushing myself every step.
"Every fight as a step up. To be honest, I had to pinch myself when I got onto Team GB. I only wanted Tyne Tees Champion and I passed that by a million miles.
"I've boxed for Great Britain and won loads of gold medals, joined Matchroom. I'm taking each fight as it comes and trying to enjoy it.
"Live in the moment a bit because I think you enjoy it more when you do that. You get the best out of yourself."
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