4 x 3 mins Super-Bantamweight contest
MUHAMMAD ALI 123.6 lbs v SEAN JACKSON 122.1 lbs
(Leicester, England)               (Manchester, England)

followed by

4 x 2 mins International International Super-Flyweight contest
MAISEYROSE COURTNEY 114.2 lbs v BUCHRA EL QUAISSI 114.2 lbs
(Eltham, England)                                    (Roda de Ter, Spain)

followed by

4 x 3 mins Lightweight contest
ADAM REICHARD 134.3 lbs v JAHFIEUS FAURE 134.1 lbs
(Sunderland, England)             (Oldbury, England)

followed by

8 x 3 mins Middleweight contest
MARK DICKINSON 161.5 lbs v BEN RIDINGS 166.6 lbs
(West Rainton, England)           (Bury, England)

followed by

19:00 LIVE ON DAZN

8 x 3 mins Lightweight contest 
CALUM FRENCH 138 lbs v JORDAN ELLISON 139.8 lbs
(Gateshead, England)          (Seaham, England)

followed by

10 x 3 mins WBA Continental Super-Bantamweight Title
HOPEY PRICE 121.4 lbs v THOMAS MASSON 120.8 lbs
(Leeds, England)                 (Pas-De-Calais, France)  

followed by

10 x 3 mins English Heavyweight Title
SOLOMON DACRES 236.7 lbs v ROBERT ISMAY 262.4 lbs
(Birmingham, England)                (Newcastle, England)

followed by

8 x 3 mins International Welterweight contest
PAT MCCORMACK 151.8 lbs v DARIO SOCCI 150.9 lbs
(Sunderland, England)               (Rome, Italy)

followed by

10 x 3 mins WBA International Welterweight Title
CYRUS PATTINSON 146.4 lbs v CHRIS JENKINS 146.5 lbs
(Alnwick, England)                      (Garnant, Wales)

Matchroom’s first NXTGEN card of the year at the Utilita Arena Newcastle on Saturday March 18 features some of the very best prospects in the North East and beyond looking to take the next steps in their promising careers, live worldwide on DAZN.

Former Team GB standout Cyrus Pattinson (5-0, 3 KOs) faces his toughest test so far in the professional ranks against Wales’ former British Welterweight Champion Chris Jenkins (23-6-3, 8 KOs) – with the pair clashing for the vacant WBA International Title. 

Alnwick’s Pattinson hasn’t put a foot wrong since turning over in Newcastle back in June 2021, winning all five of his contests – with three coming by way of knockout – and the 28-year-old southpaw picked up the vacant IBO Continental Title last time out in Nottingham.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic Silver Medallist turned Welterweight prospect Pat McCormack (3-0, 2 KOs) looks to wow his home crowd against Italy’s Dario Socci (15-7-2, 6 KOs) in his first scheduled eight-round contest. 

The Ben Davison-trained talent put pen to paper on a long-term promotional deal with Eddie Hearn last October and made a winning start to life under the Matchroom banner by outpointing Christian Nicolas Andino at Wembley’s OVO Arena in November. 

Birmingham Heavyweight Solomon Dacres (5-0,1 KO) gets the opportunity to fight for his first title in the paid ranks as he collides with Newcastle’s unbeaten Robert Ismay (11-0, 4 KOs) for the vacant English Heavyweight Title.

Leeds Super-Bantamweight contender Hopey Price (9-0, 3 KOs) fights for his second pro title as he continues his march up the 122lbs ladder, taking on Frenchman Thomas Masson (20-5-1, 7 KOs) for the vacant WBA Continental Title. 

West Rainton’s former Team GB Podium Squad member Mark Dickinson (4-0, 1 KOs) faces Bury’s Ben Ridings (5-3) over eight rounds at Middleweight and Gateshead Lightweight Calum French (3-0, 1 KO) fights Seaham’s Jordan Ellison (14-44-3, 1 KO) over eight rounds in a North East derby. 

Elsewhere on the card there’s action for Leicester Super-Bantamweight debutant Muhammad Ali, Darlington Super-Lightweight Ben Marksby (6-0), Eltham Super-Flyweight prospect Maiseyrose Courtney (1-0) and Sunderland Super-Featherweight Adam Reichard (1-0).

“I’m absolutely buzzing to be fighting in Newcastle on March 18,” said Pattinson. “2023 is a huge year for me and to be kicking it off by fighting in front of a home crowd in unreal. Nobody creates an atmosphere like the Geordies and I’m determined to put on a show for them in what is the biggest fight of my career so far. I cannot wait.”

“A win that I’m more than capable of come March 18 would most definitely put me back in the mix,” said Jenkins. “Winning a title means I have value in the sport and I’ll move on and fight who ever wants it. I’m an old school fighter, I’ll fight anyone!

“I’m expecting Cyrus to come out of the blocks like he always does and I’ll be ready for him. He looks a good come forward fighter, he does most things well but I’ve seen a few flaws in his fighting that I think I can use in the fight.”

“It’s great to be back up in Newcastle for our very first NXTGEN card of the year starring some of the brightest talents in the North East and beyond,” said Matchroom Sport Chairman Eddie Hearn. “We’ve enjoyed some brilliant nights in Newcastle over the years with the likes of Lewis Ritson and I can see Tyneside turning into a real hotbed of boxing talent with the next wave of headliners coming through. 

“Pat McCormack is one of the very best amateurs we’ve seen on these shores in recent times and I’m excited for a busy year with him. Cyrus Pattinson gets the chance to headline in front of home crowd as he takes a big step up against the experienced Chris Jenkins and there’s title action for Solomon Dacres and Hopey Price plus much more. Catch it all live around the world on DAZN.”

Tickets for Pattinson vs. Jenkins are priced £40, £60, £100 and £150 (VIP).

Are you a member of Utilita Arena Newcastle’s web club? Enjoy a presale with them at 10am on Thursday February 9.

Matchroom Fight Pass members will be able to purchase tickets from midday on Thursday February 9. Priority ticket info will be emailed directly to eligible members ahead of the on-sale time. 

General Sale tickets can be purchased via Stage Front and the Utilita Arena Newcastle from midday on Friday February 10.

Michael Conlan rebounded from his first professional loss to win a 10-round unanimous decision over Miguel Marriaga in a featherweight bout in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

In round seven, Conlan was credited with a knockdown when landed a left as Marriaga seemed to be slipping down. In round eight, Conlan sent Marriaga down again with a combination. Marriaga went down in round nine when he he ate more punches from Conlan.

Conlan, 127.9 lbs of Belfast, NI won by scores of 99-88 twice and 99-89 and is now 17-1. Marriaga, 126.4 lbs of Colombia is 30-6.

Conlan said, “I had to get rid of a lot of demons tonight. Even in the fuc*ing last round, he hit me with a shot. That guy can punch. {He has} 10 more knockouts than I have fights. He hit me with a jab in the first round, and it was like, ‘Oh, this guy actually can bang.’ I had to be careful and use my skills, which I did. In the last round, he caught me with a shot. Listen, I’ve been using my legs all night. I was a bit off the pace. He was pushing it. He landed a good shot. He buckled me a little bit. I felt it, and for me, to kind of come through that and it’s the last round… I got knocked out in my last fight in the last round. I think that says a lot. I’m back, baby. I’m ready for any of them.

“Obviously, I want Leigh Wood. It’s obvious, but Leigh has his own situation. So, hopefully he can deal with that and come through and the rematch can be done. If not, it’s any other champion. I want to get back in. I will be world champion, and I know I will. Whoever I face, I know I’ll beat him.”

Tyrone McKenna won a 10-round unanimous decision over Chris Jenkins in a welterweight bout.

McKenna, 147.4 lbs won by scores of 97-94 and 96-95 twice and is now 23-5-1. Jenkins, 146.8 lbs is now 23-6-3.

Padraig McCrory remained undefeated with a fifth round stoppage over former world title challenger Marco Antonio Periban in a 10-round super middleweight affair.

In round two, McCrory dropped Periban with a right hand.  In round five, McCrory continued to batter Periban until the referee stopped the bout at 2:40.

McCrory, 167.9 lbs of Northern Ireland is 14-0 with eight knockouts.  Periban, 165 lbs of Mexico is 26-6-1.

Kurt Walker won a six-round decision over Marcos Gabriel Martinez in a featherweight bout.

Walker, 127.6 lbs won by a score of 59-55 and is now 3-0.  Martinez, 126.2 lbs is 18-4.

Paddy Donovan remained undefeated with a eight-round decision over Tom Hill in a welterweight bout.

In round two, Hill began to bleed from the nose.

Donovan, 146.8 lbs of Limerick, IRE won by a 80-72 tally and is now 9-0.  Hill, 147 lbs of Sunderland, ENG is 10-3.

Donovan said, “It’s very important to get the rounds in. Tommy is a very, very tough fighter. We knew that before. He hopped in the ring before he accepted the challenge. He’s beat the Irish number one welterweight, knocking him down twice in the fight, so we know what he’s capable of.”

Newcastle, England – (April 2, 2022) – Tempers boiled over at today’s BOXXER Newcastle: Marshall vs Hermans official weigh-ins today when Florian Marku, the defending IBF International Welterweight Champion, faced off with challenger Chris Jenkins.

Marku had strong but inaudible words for Jenkins, prompting Jenkins to sarcastically blow him a kiss in response. This incensed the Albanian champion; he grabbed Jenkins by the throat, forcing security to intervene quickly and separate the two enraged fighters.

All fighters made weight at the first attempt today, including WBO World Middleweight Champion Savannah Marshall, who defends her title against former champion Femke Hermans in the headline bout of tomorrow night’s event, live on Sky Sports.

Below please find today’s official weights and the running order for tomorrow night’s event:

FIGHT #1: 17:00

6×3 Mins Welterweight Contest

Michael Likalu 11st 3lb 8oz (157 v Carl Turney 11st 2lb (156lb)

FACEBOOK SKY SPORTS BOXING LIVE STREAM: 17.30 (approx)

FIGHT #2

4×3 Mins Heavyweight Contest

Matty Harris 18st 8lb (260lb) v Matt Metsis 16st 8lb (232lb)

FIGHT #3

4×3 Mins Heavyweight Contest

Hosea Stewart 24st 8lb (344lb) v Phil Williams 18st 1lb (253lb)

FIGHT #4

6×2 Mins Super-Welterweight Contest

Georgia O’Connor 10st 13lb 8 (153.05lb) v Erica Alvarez 10st 12lb (152lb)

FIGHT #5

6×3 Mins Cruiserweight Contest

Michael Webster 14st 6lb (202lb) v Erdogan Kadrija 14st 4lb (200lb)

FIGHT #6

6×2 Mins Super-Welterweight Contest

April Hunter 11st 1lb (155lb) v Ester Konecna 11st 1lb 8oz (155.05lb)

FIGHT #7

4×3 Mins Super-Lightweight Contest

Luke Cope 10st (140lb) v Lee Connelly 10st 8oz (140.05lb)

LIVE ON SKY SPORTS MAIN EVENT: 20:00

FIGHT #8

8×3 Mins Middleweight Contest

Brad Rea 11st 6lb 8oz (160.05lb)v Lukasz Ndafoluma 11st 6lb (160lb)

FIGHT #9

8×3 Mins Super-Middleweight Contest

Zak Chelli 11st 12lb 8oz (166.05lb) v Jack Kilgannon 12st (168lb)

FIGHT #10

10×3 Mins Welterweight Contest

Florian Marku 10st 6lb 8oz (146.05lb) v Chris Jenkins 10st 6lb (146lb)

FIGHT #11

10×2 Mins WBO Middleweight Title Contest

Savannah Marshall 11st 5lb (159lb) v Femke Hermans 11st 4lb 8oz (158.05lb)

FIGHT #12

*TV SWING* 

4×2 Mins Super-Flyweight Contest

Chloe Watson 8st 1lb 8oz (113.05lb) v Gemma Ruegg 8st 1lb 8oz (113.05lb)

CHRIS JENKINS believes he gets little love for his achievements and is avoided by the supposed very best.

Among those showing little interest in proving themselves is Conor Benn who turned down a big offer from Queensberry to face the Swansea terror last year.

Queensberry stablemate Ekow Essuman (14-0, 5 KOs) isn’t ducking and challenges Jenkins (22-3-3, 8 KOs) for his British and Commonwealth Welterweight titles at SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday July 24, live on BT.

“I am the boogeyman,” insists Jenkins who will be having his ninth professional title fight when he takes on mandatory challenger Essuman later this month.

It will be the Welshman’s third defence of the British title he took from Johnny Garton in March 2019 and the second occasion Jenkins has risked the Commonwealth belt he won against Paddy Gallagher five months later when it was vacant.

Both fights were on the road, and the dad-of-three added: “I don’t think I get the respect I deserve, but I come through the fights.

“I wasn’t meant to beat Johnny Garton or Paddy Gallagher, but managed both.

“I don’t know why I don’t get respect because I have been fighting at the top end of domestic level since the first fight against Tyrone Nurse six years ago.

“I have had several major championship contests and I’m never in a dull fight even when I was in the ‘Who needs me club,’ and took fights at two or three weeks’ notice.

“Maybe it is because I get cut, don’t bother with social media or perhaps my face doesn’t fit. I am happy in life though and it doesn’t get to me. I have got a thick skin.

“I think there are fighters who have done a lot less than me and get more respect, but nobody is going to be everyone’s cup of tea.

“Hopefully, the respect will come after I beat Essuman, but if not I will still sleep well in my bed at night because life is good.”

Jenkins hasn’t boxed since a technical draw against Liam Taylor in November 2019 when he sustained a badly cut left eye that ended the bout in round three.

He had been due to face Nottingham’s Essuman in March but was ruled out because of a perforated ear drum.

Essuman questioned the injury, but Jenkins hit back: “He can say what he wants about my injury.

“I was examined by a British Board of Control doctor. I wanted to fight on, but  the Board is rightly safety first so I couldn’t be passed fit.

“I’ve got a family to care for. Does he think I want to pull out injured?’

“The ambition is to beat Essuman, shut him up and move on.”

Chris Jenkins vs Ekow Essuman is on a bill headlined by Joe Joyce v Carlos Takam for the WBC Silver and WBO International titles at the SSE Arena, Wembley on July 24.

Hamzah Sheeraz (12-0, 8 KOs) makes the third defence of his WBO European title against Spaniard Ezequiel Gurria (15-1, 3 KOs).
 
In a well matched fourth title fight, Peacock gym ace Chris Bourke (9-0, 6 KOs) defends his WBC International super-bantamweight title against Bloxwich’s James Beech Jnr (12-1, 2 KOs).
 
There is also heavyweight action featuring David Adeleye (6-0, 5 KOs), while Mill Hill’s George Fox (3-0) will make his Queensberry debut. Reading super-featherweight hope Charles Frankham (2-0, 1 KO) has also been added to the stacked bill., along with ‘The Gent’ Micky Burke Jr (4-0, 1 KO) who also returns after his first stoppage victory in November last year.
 
Tickets are available NOW from AXS.com. Click here to buy tickets.

£50 Tier
£70 Floor/Tier
£100 Floor
£150 Floor
£300 VIP Hospitality

DANNY BALL insists he’s ready to become British Welterweight champion even though it means beating close pal, Chris Jenkins.

The Black Country boxer showed big potential on his BT Sport debut outpointing unbeaten Sam Gilley last Friday in the first defence of his WBC International Silver title.

Ball (10-0-1, 4 KOs) knows the British 10st 7lb division is stacked, but is happy to take on Britain’s best and fellow Queensberry star Jenkins tops his hit list.

Ball said: “I’m a fighter and any fight against a top British Welterweight I wouldn’t say no to it.

“Realistically, I would like to have two fights just to stay active and fight anyone. I’m not fussed.

“If the opportunity came up I would love to challenge the British champion, Chris Jenkins. That is my biggest target.

“I know Chris well from sparring and we keep in touch with each other. He is a good lad, but in boxing you have to fight and try and beat friends.

“I wouldn’t turn that fight down and I don’t think Chris would be happy if I did refuse that fight.”

The turnaround in Ball’s career is remarkable having boxed at Light-Heavyweight on the white collar circuit and then shedding two stone to box as a professional.

Kingswinford’s Ball, 24, slimmed down and made his debut in July 2017 leaving even his family shocked at what he achieved.

“To have done what I have in three-and-a-half years and to be promoted by Frank Warren, one of the biggest promoters in the world means a lot,” added Ball.

“I boxed as an amateur and went onto the white collar circuit just to keep fit and stay involved in boxing for a bit of fun.

“I don’t think anybody would have expected me to get this far as a professional, even my family because I liked my food.

“People underestimated me and didn’t think I was dedicated enough to get down to Welterweight. I was fighting at 12st 7lb on the white collar circuit.

“I had a tough fight in my final white collar contest and thought; ‘I’m better than this,’ so I decided to push my body and see where I got and it has clicked.

“I have let my weight go before between fights, but now I have such a big platform I’m straight back in the gym and keeping my weight down.”

Despite ten hard rounds against Gilley, Ball has returned to light training ready for the call from Warren about his next test.

He says: “I’m still over the moon with the win against Sam and to get the opportunity on BT Sport on a Queensberry show is something else.

“It was good to get ten hard rounds in and not to have everything my own way. I am back in the gym and can improve as a fighter.

“It was my TV debut and I will never forget walking onto the platform and seeing all the cameras. I didn’t freeze on the big stage.

“Errol Johnson (manager) is hoping to speak with Frank this week and get some idea when we might be back, but how nice will it be to box in front of fans again?”

CHRIS JENKINS INSISTS that defending his British title – as well as competing for the vacant Commonwealth title – on away soil against Paddy Gallagher makes absolutely no odds to him at all.

In fact, every big fight the likeable Welsh welterweight has entered into has taken place on enemy territory, so to speak, or an away show. He fought Tyrone Nurse for the British title twice in Manchester, Phil Sutcliffe jr in Belfast, Akeem Ennis-Brown in Gloucester, Darragh Foley in Glasgow and, finally, his crowning glory at the Royal Albert Hall in London where he parted Johnny Garton from his Lonsdale belt.

He now ventures over to Falls Park in Belfast to face Gallagher as part of Féile an Phobail on August 3 and has resisted looking too deeply into who he will be confronted by on the night, live on BT Sport.

“I haven’t really, to be honest with you,” admitted the 30-year-old, who goes by the stage name ‘Rok’n’Rolla’. “I saw his last fight against (Liam) Wells and I saw him the time he boxed Freddy Kiwitt, I think it was.

“I know what I am expecting and that is a tough, come forward night’s work where I have got to be on my game plan from round one to 12 and basically don’t get caught.”

Jenkins doesn’t read too much into the losses on the record of Gallagher and was actually unaware of one of the reverses.

“I think he lost against Kiwitt, who is a boxer, on a split decision, against Brad Soloman and I didn’t know until you told me that he lost to Tamuka Mucha. I sparred Mucha a couple of years ago and he is hard work for anyone!”

Now Jenkins gets the opportunity to double his title-tally against the 16-5 30-year-old known as Pat-Man and is more than happy to be heading into another away fixture.

“I am known as the road warrior and I know it sounds stupid, but I can’t shift tickets back at home so I have to go and fight people in their back yard. I done it with Nurse – going up north to fight him – then to Gloucester against Ennis-Brown with about 1,200 of his fans and two of mine.

“I’ve already been to Belfast to fight Sutcliffe so I have got no issues with going anywhere,” he added, conceding that he only recently researched the setting where the ring will be located on the night.

“To be honest with you, it was last night or the night before when I thought ‘I’d better have a look where I am fighting’. I text Gaz (trainer Gary Lockett) and said ‘I am fighting outside in a field!’.

“I think it is going to be awesome.”

CHRIS JENKINS believes he’ll finally ditch his nearly man tag when he challenges British welterweight champion Johnny Garton.

Swansea’s Jenkins (20-3-2) makes his third British title attempt when he faces Garton at London’s Royal Albert Hall this Friday night, live on BT Sport.

Jenkins drew and lost a close points decision against Tyrone Nurse in super-lightweight title contests back in 2015.

Hard luck came his way last year. Bad cuts saw him lose a technical decision against Akeem Ennis-Brown followed by a technical draw against Darragh Foley in international title battles.

“I just hope that this is my time in a British title fight,” said Jenkins who warmed up for his big fight by outpointing Edvinas Puplauskas in early February.

Jenkins, 30, added: “There are so many fighters, who get so close yet so far.

“I don’t want to be known as the ‘almost man’ or the unluckiest Welsh boxer because of cuts and close decisions going against me.

“The cuts are in the back of my mind, but I have to try and put it away and just box to the instructions my trainer Gary Lockett gives me.

“We will see what happens on the night, but I am confident in my own ability and if I box to instructions from Gary I can beat anybody.

“Hopefully there will be no cuts and I will do what I have to do to become British champion.”

Garton (23-1-1) has been one of the biggest surprises in British boxing in recent years and admits he never expected to get this far.

Jenkins is one of the few who spotted Garton’s potential when they sparred for five rounds.

Chris explained: “A few years ago I went to Johnny’s gym when Liam Williams was sparring with Bradley Skeete and we did a few rounds together.

“It was a good even spar and a nice move around for both of us.

“I thought Gary Corcoran was a tough fight for Johnny because he gave Liam Williams a hard fight, but everything he did was good and he drew Gary into the fight he wanted.

“I am not surprised to see Johnny do well. He trains very hard, is a good fighter, Alan Smith is a good trainer and he trains in a champions gym. Success breeds success.”

The British welterweight title clash between the Pexican, Johnny Garton and Chris Jenkins takes place at the Royal Albert Hall this Friday March 8, live on BT Sport. Daniel Dubois v Razvan Cojanu and Anthony Yarde defending his WBO Intercontinental light heavyweight title against Travis Reeves tops a huge night of boxing that also includes the British middleweight title clash between Liam Williams and Joe Mullender. Also on the bill is unbeaten featherweight Lucien Reid, who takes on his toughest test to date against Birmingham’s Indi Sangha, while unbeaten prospects Hamza Sheeraz, Denzel Bentley, Jake Pettitt, James Branch jr and Harvey Horn feature on the show.

Tickets are priced from £40 and are available to buy via www.RoyalAlbertHall.com

JOHNNY GARTON WILL make a first defence of his British welterweight title against Chris Jenkins at the Royal Albert Hall.

The Pexican collected the treasured Lonsdale belt following a thrilling encounter with Gary Corcoran in October – stopping the Wembley man in the 11th round – and he now faces the tough Welshman on March 8 when boxing makes its return to the historic South Kensington venue.

Jenkins, 30, has twice before challenged for the British title at super lightweight. As a then unbeaten fighter in July 2015, he took on Tyrone Nurse for the vacant title and an exciting fight was declared a majority draw by the judges.

The pair rematched four months later and Nurse prevailed in another closely contested bout.
The 20-3-2 Jenkins has subsequently added a further four wins to his record, but has also suffered the misfortune of severe cuts curtailing two of his fights against Akeem Ennis-Brown and Darragh Foley.

“There were rumours that I would be fighting Chris and now it is confirmed,” reacted the champion to news of his defence being booked in. “I think it is a good tough fight and I am looking forward to it.

“We both cut easily so I would put my money on a bit of blood being spilt on the canvas!”

“Chris is a very tough man and he has been down here at our gym sparring before when Liam Williams also came down. It was a very good spar between us, very hard, and I expect the same on the night.

“He is very energetic and a bit of a crazy fella – it is going to be good,” added the Alan Smith-trained Garton, who claims he will employ some technical boxing to add to his typical marauding style.

“We are always working on technique because I can’t keep plodding forward like I have done in my last couple of fights. I need to work on things and I think you might see something different from me in this fight.”

Elsewhere on the show at the Royal Albert Hall, Nicola Adams OBE will look to make history and be the first female crowned World Champion at the venue as she challenges for the WBO World Flyweight Title against Arely Mucino on International Women’s Day. Daniel Dubois follows in the footsteps of British heavyweight greats to fight at the Hall and takes on Razvan Cojanu in his tenth fight. Liam Williams puts his newly won British Middleweight Title on the line against Brentwood bruiser Joe Mullender. Lucien Reid will fight Indi Sangha in what will be his toughest test to date, while GB Flyweight Harvey Horn and Cruiserweight talent James Branch feature.

Tickets are priced from £40 and are available to buy via RoyalAlbertHall.com
TICKETS START FROM £40
GRAND TIER: £100
LOGGIA: £100
SECOND TIER: £75