NOT the title he was looking for. But if Cyrus Pattinson can get the better of Jorick Luisetto for the IBO Continental welterweight belt then his career will be taking a step forward.
Pattinson will be looking to register win number five against the Frenchman over 10 rounds at Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena on Matchroom’s card which will be shown on DAZN.
The 28-year-old’s run so far in the professional ranks has not been without its trials and tribulations due to fights collapsing and opponent pull-outs and the build-up to this has been frustrating with a capital F.
Pattinson was, originally, due to challenge for the Northern Area welterweight title, owned most recently by Ellis Corrie, but neither the holder, nor other North-East welters, were either able or prepared to tackle the Alnwick talent.
Thankfully the French 33-year-old said “oui” to a fight for one of the International Boxing Organisation’s belts
“I’m more than happy to step up,” he said. “My camps haven’t been smooth sailing recently with fights falling through.
“We had bitter disappointment with the Northern Area title.
“I think we’ve tried making it three or four times now and it’s not happened.
“So, this opportunity has come at the right time for me, and I believe that that it wouldn’t have come if I wasn’t ready, so I am going to get that title on Saturday.
“I want these fights and these titles.”
Luisetto brings a more-than-respectable record to the East Midlands, having a 12-4 fight log, including three stoppage wins.
He’s a rugged campaigner, having gone the full eight rounds with London-based Florian Marku last November, the ‘Albanian King’ getting the verdict 78-75 from referee Bob Williams at Wembley.
Luisetto has never been stopped so not might go to the cards.
Not that a gruelling scrap frightens the Graeme Rutherford-coached prospect.
“I’ve been sparring 16 rounds in the gym with bigger lads, so I know that I am more than capable,” said the ex-Birtley ABC star.
“All my years with Team GB, I’ve always been prepared to fight anyone and it’s onwards and upwards from here.
“I don’t want to stay in a comfort zone at all, and this fight has got me switched on.”
It is an occasion for the International Boxing Organisation to have an even ing in the spotlight.
Not one of your Champions League sanctioning bodies, they appear to have two fascinating world title clashes on the show.
There is a South Yorkshire derby between Doncaster’s Maxi Hughes who defends his IBO lghtweight title against Sheffield’s former IBF Featherweight ruler Kid Galahad.
And there is a top-drawer England v Scotland women’s battle where Hannah Rankin puts her IBO and WBA light-middleweight belts on the line against Yorkshire’s Terri Harper.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
