Not quite what was planned. But Matchroom are on their way back to the North-East with Pat McCormack as their headline act.
McCormack will top the bill on the NXTGEN show at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena on Saturday November 11, when he faces unbeaten American Peter Dobson.
It is the biggest professional test yet for the former number one-rated amateur welterweight on the planet and the man who won World and Olympic silver before turning over.
McCormack has reeled off six straight victories to date with the Washington star winning five early to set up this 10-rounder with the New Yorker, who has brings a 16-0 record, with nine of his wins coming via stoppage.
It is a huge night for the 28-year-old who won handsomely last time out in July when stopping Tony Dixon in four in Sheffield to win the WBA inter-continental belt on the Dalton Smith-Sam Maxwell show.
“It’s a dream for me to headline a card in Newcastle, against an unbeaten American,” said the former Birtley ABC medal accumulator of the big DAZN event.
“It’s a step up and a chance for me make a statement,”
And it’s a big night too for the supporting cast which includes his former Birtley ABC and GB Boxing colleagues Mark Dickinson and Calum French, plus unbeaten Jarrow southpaw Ewan Mackenzie.
Of course, this November 11 date had been set for some post-Bonfire Night fireworks between Cyrus Pattinson and Lewis Ritson in a tasty Northumberland derby.
Pattinson had begun his career in stunning fashion, none more so than in a fight-of-the-year contender against Chris Jenkins in March when stopping the Welshman in nine rounds.
Eddie Hearn loved the concept of pitching his great welterweight prospect with the former top world-rated light-welter contender.
The world’s top promoter saw ‘The Sandman’ who sold thousands of tickets at Matchroom events at same arena on multiple memorable occasions, as the perfect name to add to the Alnwick southpaw’s CV.
Alas, a shock defeat at the fists of Conah Walker in August in Birmingham, with Ritson in town to watch, put a major a spanner in the works.
Step forward McCormack.
“Pat has looked flawless since joining the professional ranks in 2022 and I strongly believe that it won’t be long before he is bringing World Title fights back to the arena,” said Hearn.
“He faces his toughest test to date in the shape of unbeaten Bronx hard man Peter Dobson who is supremely confident of handing the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Silver Medallist his first loss in the pros.
“This promises to be an electric fight.
“Some of the North East’s best up and coming talent get another chance to impress on home turf.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
