Cyrus Pattinson relishing British Lionhearts debut in World Series of Boxing

Boxing star Cyrus Pattinson says victory is the only thing on his mind, ahead of his British Lionhearts debut in London tonight.
Cyrus Pattinson, left, is representing British Lionhearts this evening. He is taking on Ardreal Holmes, right, of the USA Knockouts in the World Series of Boxing.Cyrus Pattinson, left, is representing British Lionhearts this evening. He is taking on Ardreal Holmes, right, of the USA Knockouts in the World Series of Boxing.
Cyrus Pattinson, left, is representing British Lionhearts this evening. He is taking on Ardreal Holmes, right, of the USA Knockouts in the World Series of Boxing.

The 21-year-old from Alnwick is relishing his first taste of action for the team in the World Series of Boxing (WSB). The Lionhearts are taking on the USA Knockouts at York Hall, in Bethnal Green, and Pattinson is up against Ardreal Holmes in the welterweight (69kg) division. The clash is five three-minute rounds.

The Lionhearts currently top group B of the WSB having won their first three fixtures, including the reverse match against the USA in Miami in January. Victory tonight for the Lionhearts would book their place in the Playoff stages. This evening's event starts at 8pm and is televised on BoxNation. Pattinson is second on the card and Alnwick's Dirty Bottles Taproom and Smokehouse will be screening the showdown.

Pattinson was crowned Senior Male at the Alnwick and District Sports Council's annual sports awards ceremony at Alnwick Playhouse. He was honoured for his stunning 2015.Pattinson was crowned Senior Male at the Alnwick and District Sports Council's annual sports awards ceremony at Alnwick Playhouse. He was honoured for his stunning 2015.
Pattinson was crowned Senior Male at the Alnwick and District Sports Council's annual sports awards ceremony at Alnwick Playhouse. He was honoured for his stunning 2015.
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Birtley ABC boxer Pattinson said: "I am really looking forward to it. It will be my first televised fight with it being the WSB and it is my Lionhearts debut, as well as my first five-round contest. It will be a great experience, but I have got nothing on my mind bar victory."

Pattinson goes into the contest on the back of a fine run of form, which includes a memorable 2015. In what he describes as his breakthrough year, the Northumberland fighter won numerous titles, including the GB Elite Three Nations 69kg prize and was crowned GB Boxing Champion in the welterweight division. Following a stunning 2015, Pattinson is now eyeing a dream place at this year's Olympics in Brazil.

Ardreal, 21, is also a WSB debutant. The six-foot-two southpaw is the 2015 USA Boxing National Champion and towards the end of last year, the boxer from Flint, Michigan, reached the championship round of the USA Olympic Team Trials, but lost twice to welterweight Paul Kroll of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With a championship win, Holmes could've earned the right to represent the United States in the international qualifying tournaments for this year's Olympics.