Some of the best prospects in the North East and beyond will compete on Matchroom’s first NXTGEN card of the year on March 18 at the Utilita Arena Newcastle. The event will be broadcast live on DAZN worldwide.
Cyrus Pattinson, a star on Team GB, faces Wales’ Chris Jenkins, a former British Welterweight Champion (23-6-3, 8 KOs), in a fight for the vacant WBA International Title. This will be Pattinson’s toughest test yet in the professional ranks.
WHAT TIME IS CYRUS PATTINSON VS. CHRIS JENKINS?
Date : Saturday, March 18 Time : 7 p.m. GMT / 3 p.m. ET
Main event ringwalks (approx): 10:00 p.m. GMT / 6:00 p.m. ET
The card will stream live on DAZN in over 200 countries across the globe
The fight will take place at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, England.
The main card is set to get underway at 7 p.m. GMT / 3 p.m. ET with the main event ringwalks scheduled for 10 p.m. GMT / 6 p.m. ET.
Alnwick’s Pattinson hasn’t put a foot wrong since turning over in Newcastle back in June 2021, winning each of the five of his challenges – with three stopping via knockout – and the 28-year-old southpaw got the empty IBO Mainland Title last break in Nottingham.
In his first scheduled eight-round fight, Pat McCormack, a Welterweight prospect who won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 and is currently 3-0 with two knockouts, faces Italy’s Dario Socci, who is 15-7-2 with six knockouts.
The talent, who was trained by Ben Davison, signed a long-term promotional contract with Eddie Hearn in October. In November, he beat Christian Nicolas Andino at Wembley’s OVO Arena to get off to a winning start under the Matchroom banner.
Solomon Dacres, a 5-0, 1 KO heavyweight from Birmingham, will take on Newcastle’s unbeaten Robert Ismay, 11-0, 4 KOs, for the vacant English Heavyweight Title. This will be Dacres’ first fight for a paid title.
Hopey Price, a Leeds Super-Bantamweight contender, takes on Frenchman Thomas Masson (20-5-1, 7 KOs) for the vacant WBA Continental Title in a fight for his second professional title as he continues his climb up the 122-pound weight class.
West Rainton’s previous Group GB Platform Crew part Imprint Dickinson (4-0, 1 KOs) faces Cover’s Ben Ridings (5-3) more than eight rounds at Middleweight and Gateshead Lightweight Calum French (3-0, 1 KO) battles Seaham’s Jordan Ellison (14-44-3, 1 KO) more than eight rounds in a North East derby.
Darlington Super-Lightweight Ben Marksby (6-0), Eltham Super-Flyweight prospect Maiseyrose Courtney (1-0), and Sunderland Super-Featherweight Adam Reichard (1-0) will also compete on the card.
Pattinson stated, “I’m absolutely buzzing to be fighting in Newcastle on March 18.” 2023 is a tremendous year for myself and to dismiss it from by battling before a home group in unbelievable. I’m determined to put on a show for the Geordies in the biggest fight of my career so far because no one else can create the atmosphere like they do. I can hardly stand by.”
Jenkins stated, “A win that I’m more than capable of getting come March 18 would most definitely put me back in the mix.” I will fight anyone who wants my title because I have value in the sport and have won it. I’m a traditional fighter who will fight anyone!
“I’ll be prepared for Cyrus, and I’m expecting him to come out of the blocks like he always does.” He appears to be a good come forward fighter, and he does most things well. However, I’ve noticed a few flaws in his fighting that I believe I can exploit in the fight.
Eddie Hearn, chairman of Matchroom Sport, stated, “It’s great to be back up in Newcastle for our very first NXTGEN card of the year starring some of the brightest talents in the North East and beyond.” We’ve had some great nights in Newcastle over the years with Lewis Ritson and other big names, and I can see Tyneside becoming a real hotbed of boxing talent with the next big names.
“I’m excited for a busy year with Pat McCormack, who is one of the very best amateurs we’ve seen on these shores in recent times. There will be title fights for Solomon Dacres and Hopey Price, as well as a lot more, and Cyrus Pattinson will have the opportunity to headline in front of a home crowd as he takes on the experienced Chris Jenkins. DAZN lets you see it all live around the world.
CYRUS PATTINSON VS. CHRIS JENKINS FIGHT CARD
Cyrus Pattinson vs. Chris Jenkins; Welterweight
Hopey Price vs. Thomas Masson; Super bantamweight
Sol Dacres vs. Robert Ismay; Heavyweight
Pat McCormack vs. Dario Socci; Welterweight
Mark Dickinson vs. Ben Ridings; Middleweight
Calum French vs. Jordan Ellison; Lightweight Muhammed
Ali vs. Sean Jackson; Super bantamweight
