Back in action and in the North-East too.
That’s Pat McCormack who will join Wearside neighbour and former Rio Olympics team-mate, Josh Kelly, on Channel 5’s show in Newcastle on Saturday, July 30.
McCormack is an exciting addition to the event, which looks set to be the biggest and best yet staged by promoters Wasserman on terrestrial TV.
Kelly will headline against South American champion Lucas Bastida over 10 rounds as he moves towards world light-middleweight contention.
Welterweight star Pat will be chasing his second professional victory at the Vertu Motors Arena, just around the corner from the Utilita Arena where, back in March the Olympic silver medallist battered Justin Kenzie to a first-round defeat.
In the wider boxing picture, it is an interesting development given McCormack is part of the Probellum company and will now be boxing on a Wasserman show on Channel 5.
Probellum have not promoted an event since their Liverpool date in April when Paul Butler defeated Jonas Sultan in his way to becoming WBO world bantamweight champion.
But their boxers are beginning to appear on other platforms, with Tommy Ward and Peter McGrail scheduled to fight at the Summer Rumble at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on Sunday, July 17.
McCormack’s addition provides a considerable injection of stardust to the Channel 5 broadcast and is also a great moment for the boxer himself on the first anniversary of his run to the Olympic final.
“To make my professional debut in front of all my family and friends in Newcastle was an unforgettable experience,” said McCormack.
“Being live in front of a big audience on Channel 5 is a great platform at this stage of my career.
“I want to showcase what I have been working on in the gym and make a real statement.”
An audience of millions on the BBC watched him contest the Olympic final 12 months ago in Tokyo where he had the misfortune to come up against the brilliant Cuban, Roniel Iglesias, forcing the Washington star to take the silver medal.
It was the pinnacle of the 27-year-old’s boxing career with Birtley ABC and Team GB.
Pat won European Games and Commonwealth Games gold and was a World Championship silver medallist after a cut eye forced a premature end to the 2019 final in Russia.
The former world amateur number one turned professional at the end of 2021, he and twin Luke signing for Probellum and training in Essex with Ben Davison.
No opponent has been mooted yet for Pat in Newcastle though he is likely to box over eight rounds.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Tom Collins
