Cyrus Pattinson will have the man who knows him inside out guiding his first step – and every step – in the pro game.
Renowned Birtley ABC head coach, Graeme Rutherford, will be in the 27-year-old’s corner when he boxes on Matchroom’s big show in Newcastle which is headlined by Lewis Ritson’s final IBF world light-welterweight eliminator against Jeremias Ponce.
Pattinson begins his professional life against Bulgaria’s Yoncho Markov over six rounds at the Vertu Motors Arena.
Rutherford has been involved in these big shows before – he was the coach of Joe Laws in the Benwell Bomber’s early fights in the pro game while fight fans may recall he was also the trainer at the start of one of this region’s greatest amateur talents, Bradley Saunders, when he made his paid debut at the York Hall back a decade ago
“Graeme Rutherford has taken me from the grass roots level all the way through to the international scene,” said the Alnwick talent.
“I feel like he’s done the most for my career. He’s the person that I trust more than anyone.
“I think that’s crucial for me moving forward.”
While Pattinson did not make it to the very biggest championships during his time in the GB squad, he has shown plenty of class, winning gold at international tournaments such as the Feliks Stamm and Tammer while he boxed in the World Series of Boxing for British Lionhearts, a competition boxed over five rounds.
And like Saunders and his old amateur rival, Josh Kelly, Cyrus has opted to open his professional career over six rounds and has also shied away from a journeyman opponent.
While he’s hardly a household name, not even in Bulgaria, Markov sets out to win rather than survive.
The 20-year-old, from Sofia, has won four of his six bouts, two of his wins coming inside the distance.
“It’s something that we’ve both discussed before the debut came about,” said Cyrus.
“We didn’t really want to take the four-round fights which a lot of boxers usually take, usually with an opponent with a losing record.
“Instead, we wanted someone over six rounds, someone with a winning record, who’s going to bring the fight to us – that’s something I’m used to.
“I think that’s going to show the best of me. It’s going to be a lively fight.”
Pattinson is part of strong North-East contingent on Matchroom’s final show on Sky Sports, including two other old Birtley stars, Tommy Ward and Joe Laws, plus Howdon’s April Hunter and, of course, Ritson at the top of the bill.
In other bouts, Croatian heavyweight Alen Babic meets Damian Chambers over six rounds while Midlands heavy, Solomon Dacres, takes on Spain’s Alvaro Terrero, also over six.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
