Birtley ABC is a boxing club which turns out champions and world-level boxers like there is no tomorrow.
Four amazing boxers from the Birtley production line will be out to show their class on the professional stage on Saturday night when Matchroom stage their NXTGEN show at the Utilita Arena, headlined by one of the club’s many great products, Cyrus Pattinson.
The 27-year-old meets ex-British and Commonwealth champion, Chris Jenkins, from Wales, for the vacant WBA International welterweight title.
Alnwick southpaw Cyrus is just part of the story, with Mark Dickinson and Calum French also training at Birtley under Jacob Dickinson and the legendary coach Graeme Rutherford.
Only World and Olympic silver medalist Pat McCormack from Saturday’s fab four is not training at Birtley, having linked up with Ben Davison down at his Essex gym. He faces a confident Italian in Dario Socci over eight rounds on Saturday night.
The Washington welterweight, just like Dickinson, French and Pattinson has ‘made in Birtley’ stamped on him.
Rutherford is the brains, the inspiration and motivation and is one incredible fella. A tough cookie too.
The coach is just days out of hospital after major surgery and while he should be at home recuperating, he plans to be in the corner for Mark, Calum and Cyrus.
French told punch-lines that Graeme is more than just their coach and Birtley is more than a club it’s a family.
“We all came through as young ‘uns together,” said the Gateshead southpaw.
“We all trained for the same tournaments and then we all went through to GB.
“Birtley is where it all happened and me, Mark and Cyrus are still there now.
“There is a good energy, a good atmosphere and the amateur gym is flying.
“The pro side is taking off too and Graeme is buzzing about it.
“It’s his next challenge. He’s already conquered the amateur game – he’s been the best and most successful amateur coach for years.
“I think coaching us in the pros is a new lease of life for him – the next venture in his own career.
“He’s not doing it for the money, it’s the challenge. It’s a business to some coaches but it’s different for Graeme.
“He’s had us since we were young ‘uns and wants what’s best for us and we’re in great hands with him.”
French has a derby test against Seaham’s Jordan Ellison, a boxer who has made a habit of removing the ‘0’ from numerous unbeaten prospects, while Dickinson also fights over eight rounds, the West Rainton super-middleweight taking on Bury’s Ben Ridings.
The fab four are pictured above at the public work-out at the Metro Centre, from thwe left, French, Dickinson, Pattinson and McCormack.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
