Cyrus Pattinson faces a must-win fight in his Newcastle hometown on Saturday as he seeks to continue a career renaissance under trainer Billy Nelson. Once a top GB amateur who was one win from qualifying for the 2016 Olympics, Pattinson turned professional in 2021 and won his first six fights, proving himself a popular North East ticket seller.
He enjoyed a thrilling victory over former British champion Chris Jenkins but was stopped in an all-action 2023 clash with Conah Walker. After that defeat, Pattinson found himself without a promoter, manager or trainer and suffered a severe eye injury that almost ended his career. He says the period left him at “rock bottom,” battling dark thoughts and depression, coping by putting one day at a time and taking long walks to keep his head right.
“I wasn’t even looking towards next week and next month or the next fight,” he told Sky Sports. “Sometimes it was that dark that I was just trying to find a way of getting through the day… I know where I was when I was doing the 15, 20 mile walks every day in the rain to try and keep my head right when I did go through that state of depression which was like life and death every time. That a lot of people didn’t really know about and I wasn’t really open about it. We got through and we’re here.”
Pattinson found a route back via Billy Nelson’s gym in Glasgow, initially as a sparring partner for Jack Rafferty and world champion Lewis Crocker. Nelson has taken him under his wing; after three consecutive wins Pattinson returns to the Vertu Motors Arena in Newcastle to face Tunde Segun Adeyemi.
“I’ve got a good fighter, a dangerous fighter in front of us on Saturday night who’s coming to win,” Pattinson said. “I do enjoy getting stuck in, I do wear my heart on my sleeve and I’ll always be that way… People get their money’s worth and it’s an entertainment business. I know it’s my role as a fighter but first and foremost is always to win.”
Pattinson views the loss to Walker in a different light now, noting Walker’s continued rise — including a recent knockout of Olympic silver medallist Pat McCormack — and believes he is as good as any name in the division. “I was giving myself a very hard time for that fight because I was nowhere near my best and I know what I’m capable of and I can beat all these names,” he said. “He’s gone on to be successful… But I know I’m just as good if not better. I think it’s only a matter of time before I’m back up in the mix. I know I’m capable of beating anybody.”
Looking beyond Saturday, Pattinson intends to target the British and Commonwealth welterweight titles. Nelson is bullish about his trajectory: “I’m very happy with Cyrus’ improvement. He’s a consummate professional… He’s improved bundles as a fighter and after this fight I’d like to see him challenge for domestic level titles if not European. I’m more than confident that he can compete at that level.”
Pattinson insists he remains focused and open to opportunities. “100 per cent my focus is on Saturday,” he said. “But long-term British and Commonwealth would be fantastic, I’d love them belts which I know I’m very capable of winning. I’m an asset for any of the promoters. I’m always in entertaining fights. I’m a fantastic fighter and boxer. I sell, I’ve got a great following… As long as I stay true to me then that’s all that matters.”
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