Cyrus Pattinson halts Chris Jenkins after nine-round war in Newcastle

Newcastle’s Utilita Arena witnessed the coming of age of top welterweight prospect Cyrus Pattinson as the 28 year old stopped former British and Commonwealth champion Chris Jenkins on Saturday.

The pair fought across nine hellacious rounds before Jenkins’ cornerman Gary Lockett compassionately saved his man from further punishment in the ninth.

Both men started at a canter as they traded short blows on the inside.

Wales’ Jenkins attacked the body of Pattinson who opted to duck and weave before landing short hooks of his own upstairs.

The third round saw the Englishman take a half-step back, allowing himself more room to work with at mid-range against a fired up Jenkins.

The pair showed great heart and grit throughout the nine rounds in Newcastle. *Photo by Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing.*

Pattinson was enticed into a firefight on the inside again though allowing Jenkins more opportunity to find the target with his own hooks to head and body.

Jenkins’ tank looked to drain the longer the fight drew on however with Pattinson stepping up the pace in search of the stoppage.

The Welshman was tiring but bravely responded to Pattinson’s front foot pressure with rallies of his own as he desperately looked to keep pace with the younger and fresher man.

The ninth saw Pattinson step it up again however and this time Jenkins could not match him.

His legs were heavy, leaving him open to a barrage of hooks to the head which pierced his guard.

Head trainer Lockett sensed the danger and rightly waved the towel with 1:26 remaining in the round to signal the end of a brutal showing in the North-East.

Lockett (right) waves the towel to save Jenkins from further punishment. *Photo by Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing.*

Much of the pre-fight rhetoric spoke of a last hurrah for Jenkins but the 34 year old proved he still had plenty in the tank to compete among the domestic scene at 147lbs.

Pattinson heaped praise on his opponent during the aftermath of the bout.

“Me winning tonight has taken absolutely nothing away from his career. He’s a champion inside and out of the ring and achieved things I can only hope to achieve.

“It was an honour sharing the ring with a great fighter like Chris Jenkins tonight.”

Pattinson, who moved to 6-0 on the night, is now in good stead to compete for the British title at welterweight in the near future.

The belt is currently held by Ekow Essuman who was recently ordered to defend against Derby’s Harry Scarff next.

It's over… Cyrus Pattinson wins the WBA International Welterweight Title 👑#PattinsonJenkins pic.twitter.com/ywJmvnTrUe
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 18, 2023

Birmingham heavyweight Solomon Dacres claimed his first major belt as a pro, halting Newcastle’s Robert Ismay in two rounds to claim the vacant English title.

Dacres, who also fought for Team GB as an amateur, landed a damaging right hand to the chin of Ismay before following up with more punishing blows.

A subsequent right cross followed by accurate hooks forced referee Ron Kearney to wave the bout off with 56 seconds remaining in the round.

Dacres moves to 6-0 as a pro and claimed his second victory inside the distance.

Dacres impressed to hand Ismay his first professional defeat on Saturday. *Photo by Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing.*

Tokyo 2020 silver medalist Pat McCormack secured his fourth victory in as many outings, stopping Italian Dario Socci in the eighth and final round in their super-middleweight contest to mark his name as one of the sport’s brightest prospects.

Leeds super-bantamweight Hopey Price also cruised to a comfortable ten-round points win over France’s Thomas Masson, while Mark Dickinson overcame Ben Ridings in their eight-round middleweight contest.

London’s Maisey Rose Courtney floored Buchra El Quaissi on the way to a four-round points win in her second pro outing at flyweight.

Leicester’s Muhammad Ali also marked a successful pro debut at super-bantamweight, winning all four rounds against Sean Jackson.