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.

Maxi Hughes won a 12-round majority decision over Kid Galahad in a lightweight bout.

Hughes, 134 lbs of Rossington, ENG won by scores of 116-111, 114-113 and 114-114 and is now 29-5-1. Galahad, 134.7 lbs of Sheffield, ENG is 28-3.

Terri Harper won the WBA Super Welterweight title with a 10-round unanimous decision over Hannah Rankin.

In round two, Rankin was cut over the left eye from a punch.

Harper, 152 lbs of Denaby was a former 130 lb. world champion won by scores of 98-92 twice and 97-93 and is 13-1-1. Rankin, 153.4 lbs of Glasgow, SCO is 12-6.

Solomon Dacres remained undefeated with a 10-round unanimous decision over Ariel Esteban Bracamonte in a heavyweight bout.

Dacres, 229.4 lbs of Birmingham, ENG won by scores of 99-90 on all cards and is now 5-0. Bracamonte, 305.5 lbs of Cordoba, ARG is 11-10.

Cyrus Pattinson stopped Jorick Luisetto in the sixth round of their 10-round welterweight bout.

In round six, Pattinson hurt Luisetto with a left hand. Two punches later, he sent Luisetto to the canvas, Pattinson continued to onslaught by landing some hard body shots that were followed up by a left and the fight was stopped at 1:59 as Luisetto fell to the canvas.

Pattinson, 146.4 lbs of Almwick, ENG is 5-0 with three knockouts. Luisetto, 147 lbs of France is 12-5.

Cheavon Clarke remained undefeated by stopping Marcos Nicolas Karalitzky in a eight-round cruiserweight bout.

Clarke dominated the fight and stopped Karalitzky with a barrage of punches at 2:21 of round four.

Clarke, 199.3 lbs of Gravesend, ENG is 3-0 with three knockouts. Karalitzky, 197.5 lbs of Buenos Aries, ARG is 7-6-2.

In a battle of undefeated super welterweights, Junaid Bostan stopped Anas Isari on the final round of their six-round bout.

In the sixth round, Bostan turned up the heat and the fight was stopped after a big flurry on the ropes at 2:38.

Bostan, 154.9 lbs of Rotherham, ENG is 3-0 with three knockouts. Isari, 153.4 lbs of Brussels, BEL is 2-1.

Rhiannon Dixon remained undefeated with a six-round decision over Edina Kiss in a lightweight bout.

Dixon, 134.8 lbs of Wigan, ENG won by a 60-54 score and is 4-0. Kiss, 134.4 lbs of Budapest, Hungary is 15-16.

Mohammed Sameer won a four-round decision over Dale Arrowsworth in a middleweight bout.

Sameer, 158.8 lbs of Peterborough won by a 40-36 score and is now 5-0.

Derek Chisora evened up his series with Kubrat Pulev by winning a split decision in a 12-round heavyweight bout at The O2 Arena in London.

In round five, Pulev was cut on his left eyelid. It was a sloppy yet entertaining affair that saw each guy land some big shots throughout the contest.

Chisora landed 171 of 526 punches; Pulev was 200 of 796.

Each fighter won a scorecard by a 116-112 tally. A third card was 116-114 for Chisora.

Madrimov and Soro Fight to a Technical Draw

Israil Madrimov and Michel Soro fought to a technical draw when Soro suffered a bad cut in the third round of their 12-round junior middleweight rematch.

At the start of round three, The two clashed heads, and Soro began to bleed badly over his left eye. The fight was the sequel to a December rematch that saw Madrimov score a ninth round stoppage, but the stoppage may have come after the ninth round bell had sounded.

Ali Decisions Rojas

Ramla Ali remained undefeated with an eight-round decision over Agustina Rojas in a super bantamweight fight.

Ali, 122.14 kbs of Greewich, ENG won by an 80-72 score and is now 6-0. Rojas, 122.3 lbs of Villeurbanne, ARG is 6-2.

Agyarko Decisions Maciej

Caoimhin Agyarko won a 10-round unanimous decision over Lukasz Maciej in a super middleweight bout.

Agyarko, 153.12 lbs of Belfast, NI won by scores of 100-90 twice and 99-93 and is now 12-0. Maciej, 154 lbs of Lublin. POL is 28-5-1.

Wardley Stops Healey in 2

Fabio Wardley remained undefeated by stopping Chris Healey in round two of their eight-round heavyweight bout.

In round one, Wardley opened up with a hard combination that put Healey down to the canvas. It was the same thing in round two as Warley landed a hard combination that punctuated by a right hand that put Healey down and the towel was thrown in at 40 seconds.

Wardley, 238 lbs of Ipswich, ENG is now 14-0 with 13 knockouts. Healey, 275 lbs of Stickport, ENG is 9-10.

Solomon Dacres won an eight-round decision over Kevin Nicolas Espindola in a heavyweight bout.

Dacres, 230.1 lbs of Birmingham, ENG won by an 80-72 score and is now 4-0. Espindola, 257 lbs of San Pedro, ARG is 7-5.

Yousuf Ibrahim won a decision over Francisco Rodriguez in a super bantamweight bout.

Ibrahim, 120.1 lbs of Northhampton, ENG won by a 40-36 score and is now 2-0. Rodriguez, 121.1 lbs of Alfacar, SPA is 1-7.

Former world title challenger Liam Smith stopped crosstown rival Anthony Fowler in round eight of their scheduled 12-round super welterweight contest in Liverpool, England.

In round one, Smith was cut around the left eye. In round four, Fower started to bleed from around his left eye, In round five, Smith dropped Fowler with a hard right to the head.

In round eight, Smith ended things with a powerful left hook that sent Fowler down again, and the fight was stopped at 2:04.

Smith, 154 lbs of Liverpool is 30-3-1 with 17 knockouts. Fowler, 153.1 lbs of Liverpool is 15-2.

Williamson Stops Cheeseman in 10

Troy Williamson stopped Ted Cheeseman in round 10 of a scheduled 12-round junior middleweight fight.

It was a back and forth brawl that saw Williams drop Cheeseman in the 10th frame with a vicious left hook to the jaw, and the bout was stopped at

Williamson, 153.1 lbs of Darlington, ENG is 17-0-1 with 13 knockouts. Cheesman, 153 lbs of Bermondsey, ENG is 17-3-1.

McGrail Wins Pro Debut with Decision over Harrison

Peter McGrail made a successful pro debut with a six-round decision over Ed Harrison in a super bantamweight fight.

McgRail, 127.1 lbs of Liverpool won by a 60-54 score and is now 1-0. Harrison, 128.5 lbs of Blackpool, ENG is 2-9.

Mitchell wins WBA Bantamweight Title with Unanimous Decision over Courtenay

Jamie Mitchell wrestled the WBA Bantamweight title with a 10-round majority decision over Shannon Courtenay

Mitchell, 117.5 lbs of California, won by scores of 97-93, 96-94 and 95-95 and now is a world champion with a record of 7-0-2. Courtenay, who lost her title before the fight was she weighed in at 120.5 lbs is now 7-2.

Conway Decisions Metcalf

Kieron Conway won a 10-round unanimous decision over James Metcalf in a super welterweight bout.

Conway, 156.1 lbs ogf Northampton, ENG won by scores of 96-94 and 96-95 twice and is now 17-2-1. Metcalf, 156 1/2 lbs of Liverpool is 21-2.

Luke Wills remained undefeatd with a 10-round majotity decision over Rylan Charlton in a lightweight fight.

Wills, 134.6 lbs of Liverpool won by scores of 95-94 twice and 95-95 and is now 11-0. Charlton, 134.6 lbs of Norwich, ENG is 6-2-1.

Solomon Dacres remained undefeated with an eight-round decision over Kamil Sokoloweski in a heavyweight bout.

Dacres, 227.6 lbs of Brirmingham, ENG win by a 78-74 score and is now 3-0. Sokolowski, 239.6 lbs of Poland is 10-23-2.

Robbie Davies Jr. stopped Jonny Phillips in round four of their scheduled six-round super lightweight fiht.

The time of the stoppage was 2:28 of round four for Davies, 143 1/2 lbs of Liverpool, who ups his record to 21-3 with 14 knockouts. Phillips, 140 lbs of Sandhurst, ENG is 5-8.

Blane Hyland won a four-round decision over Santiago San Euseebio in a super flyeright contest.

Hyland, 117 lbs of Liverpool won by a 39-37 score and is now 5-1. Eusebio, 118 1/2 lbs of Lyon, FRA is 3-2-2.

Birmingham Heavyweight Solomon Dacres is aiming for a knockout when he takes on Spain’s Alvaro Terrero at the Vertu Motors Arena, Newcastle on Saturday June 12, live on Sky Sports in the UK and on DAZN in the US and more than 200 countries and territories.

The former Team GB amateur standout, now trained by Max McCracken, won his first professional fight on points by battering Bulgaria’s Mladen Manev for six rounds on the Buatsi vs. Dos Santos undercard at Manchester Arena last month.

The 6ft 5ins 27-year-old, who is managed by Adam Morallee and Sam Jones of S-JAM Boxing, says he is reaping the rewards from sparring with undefeated British, European and Commonwealth Champion Joe Joyce ahead of this weekend’s clash. 

“It’s good to get regular sparring with Joe,” said Dacres. “He’s in big fights now and he’s at the top level of the game. It’s good to come down here regularly and get good quality rounds. Joe has got the engine and it’s a high pace. It’s good to keep sparring with the top guys. No disrespect to opponents, but early on in your career you’re not going to face the top guys in the game, so it’s good to keep that level of boxing in the sparring. 

“I’ll fight anyone. That’s just the type of person I am. I want to fight. I put the work in so I can fight anyone. Sometimes you’ve got to have managers and trainers to look from the outside and hold you back a bit and build you in the right way. That’s why you have a good team around you, and you build yourself properly. I’ve just got to make sure that I really put myself in the best position for when it comes. I’ve been doing that since I started boxing, working hard to build myself that platform. Now it’s there, I’m not going to let it go to waste. I’ve just got to keep putting myself through all of the hard training and stay dedicated. 

“I’ve got to treat all of my opponents like they’re the best people out there getting in front of me. I don’t want to have ten fights against people that are only going to last two or three rounds. You want to progress to that level, because you’ve seen fighters in the past that have had easy touches for so many fights and then come unstuck when they’ve stepped up. I don’t want that to happen to me – I’ve got to keep on improving all of the time. I’m not resting on my laurels – I’m going to keep on working hard to get to the top. 

“Manev came to survive. Sometimes those guys just tuck up and they prepare themselves to take punishment. He was prepared to take shots and didn’t open up much. I kept my patience and I got the six rounds in. It was more about me showing I could keep up the work rate. I thought my punch selection was good. There are certain things to work on of course – we want to sit down on the shots more, but he didn’t open up for us much. It wasn’t much of a boxing contest. It was more of a war of attrition really. It was good to get in there and get the rust off. 

“I’m a Heavyweight. Heavyweight boxing – you want to get knockouts at times. Sometimes you do want to pace yourself when it’s the right time to do so. We’re working on things in the gym as well – sitting down on our shots and we want to get knockouts. It’s Heavyweight boxing – people want to see knockouts. I’m definitely coming for one. 

“We’ve had one World Champion from Birmingham. We’re the second city and we’ve had one World Champion! We’ve never had a Heavyweight Champion, so that’s something I’m aiming to achieve. if I can bring that to Birmingham, big shows to Birmingham, it’s going to be huge for the city and hopefully they can get behind me and we can look forward to some big nights. I’ve boxed all around the world internationally for Team GB but boxing in my home city would make me massively proud.”

Dacres vs. Terrero is part of a big night of action in Newcastle as fans return in the North East, Lewis Ritson (21-1, 12 KOs) meets undefeated Argentinian Jeremias Ponce (27-0, 17 KOs) in a Final Eliminator for the IBF Super-Lightweight World Title, West Rainton’s Thomas Patrick Ward (29-0-1, 4 KOs) takes on Mexico’s Edy Valencia Mercado (17-5-6, 5 KOs) in a ten round Featherweight clash, Former Team GB standout Cyrus Pattinson makes his professional debut in a six round Super-Welterweight clash with Bulgaria’s Yoncho Markov (4-2, 2 KOs), Croatian Heavyweight sensation Alen Babic (6-0, 6 KOs) returns to action following a shoulder injury, Catford Super-Bantamweight Ellie Scotney (2-0) meets Spain’s Vanesa Caballero (4-9-3) over eight rounds, Benwell Welterweight Joe Laws (9-1, 5 KOs) fights Nestor Maradiaga (9-10-2, 5 KOs) over six rounds and Wallsend Welterweight April Hunter (3-0) meets Hungary’s Klaudia Vigh (3-27-1, 2 KOs).

Joshua Buatsi stopped Daniel Dos Santos in round four of their scheduled 10-round light heavyweight at The Manchester Arena in Manchester, England.

In round four, Buatsi landed a devastating overhand right to the face of Dos Santos, who like a ton of bricks, and the fight was over at 2:44.

Buatsi, 174 lbs of Croydon, ENG is 14-0 with 12 knockouts. Dos Santos, 174.1 lbs of Point-Sainte-Maxence, FRA is 15-1.

“I hope he’s okay,” Buatsi told Matchroom. “We’ve seen this happen to many fighters. You box someone they say you’re levels above and it’s a banana skin situation. I’m glad I handled it. The most important thing is I hope he’s okay. We’ve seen these type of fighters come and cause upsets recently and I was adamant it wasn’t going to happen to me. I’m glad it went well.

“I remain optimistic all of the time in the moves that I make and this is one of them. We will have a week or so off and then we’re back in the gym to keep building. Going in we had little footage of him. Usually you can watch who you’re going to fight to get a feel. He looked very good in the one bit of footage we had of him. I had to learn round by round what he was like.

“Virgil gave me the perfect instructions and I followed them. I haven’t got here by being given it. The little that I’ve earnt, I had to work hard for it. I thank god for everything that we’ve got but I work hard for it. When I step in that ring it’s a dog mentality. This is a fight. I’m here to take everything. We’re here to win but we’re not here to hurt anyone. The time that we’re in the ring, yes, we want to win, and we want to entertain. We’re not here to hurt anyone in the long-term.”

Richards Decisons De Carolis

Lerrone Richards won an easy 12-round unanimous decision over Giovanni De Caolins in a super middleweight.

Richards, 167 lbs of New Malden, ENG won by scores of 120-108 twice and 119-109, and is now 15-0. De Carolis, 167.4 lbs of Vitebo, ITA is 28-10-1.

“I said I was going to conquer Europe, and I’ve done it,” Richards told Matchroom. “I’m very pleased and I’m very happy. I wanted this so bad to complete the collection. British, Commonwealth and now the European Super-Middleweight Champion. I’m very happy.

“It’s all of the drilling and all of the work in the gym. I’d like to thank my team – Dave Coldwell, Danny Wilson and my nutritionist Lee for getting me in the best shape possible for this fight. I’m going to be very difficult to beat. I said this from the start. It’s all about the skills, and I have them in abundance. I showcased a little bit of that tonight.

“There were points in the fight where I decided to sit in the pocket and work with him. I could have gone up the gears a little bit more tonight. I felt like what I was doing was enough. My team are very happy with my performance.

“I started from the bottom and worked my way up – I backed myself. There’s something to learn at every level. We’ll see what the team says the best options are for me. The next step now is fringe world level.”

Jason Cunningham dropped Gamal Yafai three-times en-route to a 12-round unanimous decision in a super bantamweight bout.

In round two, Cinningham dropped Yafai with a straight left. In round four, Cunningham dropped Yafai with a counter left. In round six, Cunningham dropped Yafai.

Yafai rallied down the stretch and hurt Cunningham down the stretch, but it was too little-too late as Cunningham won by scores of 115-110 and 114-111 twice.

Cunningham, 121.8 lbs of Doncaster, ENG is 29-6. Yafai, 121. lbs of Birmingham, ENG is 18-2.

Cunningham avenged a loss to Gamal’s brother Khalid.

“We’re buzzing,” said Cunningham. “We’re from a little town called Doncaster. We’ve got a British, European and World Champion – that’s some doing that. In at three weeks’ notice – I won my second Commonwealth Title at three weeks’ notice. They tried catching me out tonight, I don’t care what anyone says – that’s what they’ve done. 

“I’ve stayed prepared, stayed disciplined and dedicated. This is what happens when you stick to it. I was in this venue last time I had a big fight against Michael Conlan. I pushed Michael Conlan hard. I had to grit in late on tonight – he hurt me a few times to the body. I’ll never quit. It’s my boxing ability that sets me above the rest. I’m an awkward tall southpaw.

“I said I knew I had the tools to do it. I said I’d have done a better job if I had more notice but to be fair, I dropped him three times and it was quite comfortable really. I knew to keep calm and carry on what I was doing. I stuck to it and this is my reward. I made a lot of people in Doncaster a lot of money tonight.

“I showed my class, I was levels above him in terms of boxing ability. Usually you get a good ten weeks’ notice for a European Title fight – it was the biggest fight of my life. I’ve been out of the ring since February last year. Tonight was just my night, I knew I was all wrong for him.”

Tommy McCarthy stopped Alezandru Jur in round six of a scheduled 12-round cruiserweight bout,

In round four, McCarthy dropped Jur with a left to the body. Two rounds later, it was another left to the body, but this time Jur was down for the count of 10 at 2:09.

McCarthy, 199.4 lbs of Belfast, NI is 18-2 with nine knockouts. Jur, 198.7 lbs of Ordea, ROM is 19-5.

“I’m delighted,” McCarthy told Matchroom. “I got a few rounds in and a stoppage. I got everything that I wanted. We prepared for Jur to give me a good test. I don’t think he expected me to come out the way that I did. It threw him off a bit. I can’t complain.

“I thought it was all over after the first knockdown. Feinted to the head, left hook to the body and he went over. He went into survival mode after that. It was the same again with the next one. I’ve been working hard with my team all through camp. We’ve been doing all sorts of drills. We’ve been working on being explosive. The S and C training was all focused on me being explosive. I’m a hard puncher.

“Everything was perfect this camp – no injuries. I was driving them shots through him, it was great. The pandemic has been great for me, I’ve kept my head down, stayed in the gym and worked on my whole game. I hope everybody is buzzing back home in Belfast.

“I’ve got no problem fighting Chris Billam-Smith, it’s easy work. If this is the hurdle that I have to jump over for a World Title fight, then so be it. Chris Billam-Smith, stop Tweeting about me, stop talking about me – we’ll see you at Fight Camp.”

Dalton Smith remained undefeated with a beatdown sixth round stoppage over Lee Appleyard in a scheduled 10-round junior welterweight bout.

Smith dominated throughout until the fight was stopped at 2:44

Smith, 139.9 lbs of Sheffield, ENG is 8-0 with seven knockouts. Aplleyard, 139.1 lbs of Rotherham, ENG is 16-6-1.

“I’ve got my first professional Title,” said Smith. “I’ve dreamt about this since I was a little boy. I’m English Champion! It’s the starting block for me. When the fight first got announced, I thought, ‘it’s just an English Title’, but now I’ve got it it’s like, ‘wow, I’m a professional Champion now’. It feels good.

“All credit to Lee – he’s one tough kid. I was prepared for a fast-paced ten rounds tonight, but he was just taking a few too many shots in there. I’m good friends with Lee out of the ring. When you go in there it’s just business. I could see his face was getting bust up pretty bad. I kind of felt sorry for him in a way. I’ve got respect for him. I knew eventually the shots would come and I knew he wasn’t going to last long.

“I’m happy with my performance. You want to win in style. The knockouts are good. We want to win but we don’t want anyone to come out of there hurt. People forget that was my eighth pro fight there. Lee is an experienced guy and he’s been in with some top kids. He’s been those championship rounds.

“I’m taking my time, I’m 24. I’ve got one shot at boxing; I want to make sure that I do it right. I’m not in there with no mugs – they’re real contenders. That was a good step up and I proved what I’m about. I’m not a championship round fighter yet. Kay Prosper just boxed for the European Title – they’re the type of fights that I want. I want to get those championship rounds in, I’m in a tough division. Maybe I’ll get over to the States in my next fight, get a bit of experience over there. I’d love to do that.”

Solomon Dacres made a successful pro debut with an easy six-round unanimous decision over Mladen Manev in a heavyweight bout.

Dacres, 221.1 lbs of Birmingham, ENG won by a 60-54 score and is 1-0. Manev, 233 lbs of Sofia BUL is 3-9.

“It was good to get six rounds under my belt,” Dacres told Matchroom. “I know a lot of people like to get the big Heavyweights that get them out of there in one round, but you don’t learn much from that. I got to show my skills. I didn’t just go for all power. I’ve got plenty more in the tank, so it was good to get the rounds in.

“I showed my hand speed at times. I showed I can box. I didn’t rush it. I’ve varied the power up. It’s all building up. We’re training to be a twelve-round fighter, not just a one or two round knockout artist. You don’t gain much from getting someone that is going to fall over after a round. Six tough rounds, I got to go through the gears, show a bit of what I’m about and learn a little bit as well.

“I was pretty relaxed to be honest. I’ve had plenty of amateur fights. I know that I prepared very hard. It felt good to get in there. Hard work is at the route of it all. If you put that hard work and dedication in, the sky is the limit. I’ll keep putting my head down in the gym and performing in the ring.”

Birmingham Heavyweight debutant Solomon Dacres is promising an explosive performance when he takes on Mladen Manev over six rounds at the AO Arena, Manchester this Saturday May 15, live on Sky Sports in the UK and on DAZN in the US and more than 200 countries and territories.

The 6ft 5ins 27-year-old, who is managed by Adam Morallee and Sam Jones of S-JAM Boxing, has been a regular sparring partner of Unified Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua, and shared sparring with Joe Joyce and Daniel Dubois ahead of their November clash. 

In an impressive stint in the amateurs, Dacres won gold in the 2017 National Championships, before joining the Team GB squad in April 2017 and representing the British Lionhearts in the World Series of Boxing during a successful spell in Sheffield. 

Trained by Max McCracken alongside former WBA Super-Flyweight World Champion Kal Yafai and European Super-Bantamweight Champion Gamal Yafai – who puts his Title on the line against Jason Cunningham on the same bill – ‘The Real Deal’ plans on using his brute power and strength to make a mark in the thriving domestic Heavyweight scene.

“I’m looking forward to some solid performances and hopefully some big knockouts,” said Dacres. “I’m in the fight game to have good fights at the end of the day. The main thing for me is progression. I need to make sure that I’m learning and improving with each fight. I want to look good as well. 

“I’m not delusional, I know there’s a lot of hard work to go, but when you’ve got that grounding and experience from the amateurs – it gives you a great platform to push forwards from. I know there’s a lot of hard work to be done and lots to learn but I’m confident I can go all of the way.

“You’ve got to stay grounded. When you’re sparring guys like Joshua who’s a unified World Champion, Joyce and Dubois, they’re having big high-profile fights. You’re sparring with them and you haven’t even had your pro debut. You’re rubbing shoulders with guys that are at that top level and you’re thinking, ‘that’s where I want to get to’. I want to do the best that I can. Seeing that firsthand gives you that hunger to get there. 

“I want to make a statement when I turn over and put on a good performance. I’m not messing around in the Heavyweight division. You want to put the guys out and move onto the next one. That’s how it’s going to be really. You’ve got to put your head down and work very hard. When you get to the top of the Heavyweight division, you’re there for a reason. The rewards are huge, but you’ve got to put the work in. 

“I’m coming to make my mark on the Heavyweight division. I’m an educated boxer. Being from the Team GB squad, I can box. I can move a bit on the backfoot, but I like going on the front foot. I will look to go forwards, be explosive and let my hands go. I’m looking for an explosive fight and an explosive finish.”

Dacres vs. Manev is part of a huge night of boxing in Manchester, Joshua Buatsi (13-0, 11 KOs) fights under Virgil Hunter for the first time against unbeaten Frenchman Daniel Blenda Dos Santos (15-0, 8 KOs),three European Title fights feature on the bill with Gamal Yafai (18-1, 10 KOs) defending his Super-Bantamweight Title for the first time against Jason Cunningham (28-6, 6 KOs), Tommy McCarthy (17-2, 18 KOs) defending his Cruiserweight crown against Romania’s Alexandru Jur (19-4, 7 KOs) and Lerrone Richards (14-0, 3 KOs) taking on Italy’s Giovanni De Carolis (28-9-1, 13 KOs) for the vacant Super-Middleweight strap, Dalton Smith (7-0, 6 KOs) takes on Lee Appleyard (16-5-1, 5 KOs) for the vacant English Super-Lightweight Title and Ellis Hopkins makes history when she becomes the first female from the traveller community to turn professional.

Former Team GB Heavyweight standout Solomon Dacres has signed a multi-fight promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and will make his highly anticipated professional debut in early 2021. 

The 6ft 5ins 27-year-old, who is managed by Adam Morallee and Sam Jones of S-JAM Boxing, has been a regular sparring partner of Heavyweight World Champion Anthony Joshua, and shared sparring with Joe Joyce and Daniel Dubois ahead of their November clash. 

In an impressive stint in the amateurs, Birmingham’s Dacres won a gold medal in the 2017 National Championships, before joining the Team GB squad in April 2017 and representing the British Lionhearts in the World Series of Boxing during a three-year spell in Sheffield. 

Trained by Max McCracken alongside former WBA Super-Flyweight World Champion Kal Yafai and newly crowned European Super-Bantamweight Champion Gamal Yafai, ‘The Real Deal’ plans on using his explosive power and strength to make a mark in the thriving domestic Heavyweight scene.

“I turned over with my management team S-JAM Boxing and we were looking at getting a deal with the biggest promoter,” said Dacres. “Matchroom provide the biggest platform and the best networks to perform on and progress on. I’m really looking forward to working with the number one promoter out there. 

“Being on the Team GB squad, I’ve sparred with Anthony Joshua for a number of years. It was regular sparring while he was in camp and I was training in Sheffield. It brought me on massively and improved me as a fighter. We’ve both been progressing over the years. 

“That’s the level I’m looking to get to. I’ve seen the level that a Heavyweight World Champion performs at. With the same hard work and dedication that ‘AJ’ has displayed throughout his career, I’m confident I can reach those levels too. 

“Sky Sports and DAZN viewers can expect to see a very explosive style from me. I’ve got fast hands for a Heavyweight and a lot of strength and power. I’d say that I’ve got a fan friendly style. I’m going to bring excitement.

“Next year I’m looking to settle myself into the professional ranks and get a few fights under my belt. I want to make a statement with some eye-catching performances on Sky Sports and DAZN. The ultimate goal is to become a Heavyweight World Champion.”

“I’m delighted to welcome another Heavyweight signing to the team,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Solomon has all the grounding through his GB podium squad experience and WSB experience and is ready to attack the domestic scene. It has been many years since the Midlands have produced a Heavyweight star and with the hope of crowds returning later in 2021, I expect Solly to be a popular draw as he begins his professional campaign.”

Adam Moralee commented: “All the promoters we spoke to about Sol were aware of his quality from Team GB and he needed no introduction. Sol is now in the hands of the people that have guided the career of one of the best Heavyweights ever to come out of Team GB and we are very excited about the journey ahead with Matchroom.”

You can follow Dacres’ journey on Twitter: @solomonDacres and Instagram: solomondacres