Sam Jones talks about Pat McCormack's potential in the first week of his column
Sam Jones, Probellum’s Head of Talent Relations, today launches his new hard-hitting column with Probellum.com:
SJ: "Pat McCormack won’t be a world champion. He will be a multi-weight world champion and a fighter who could, one day, go down as a great of British boxing.
This isn’t just promoter talk, either. McCormack was an elite amateur, winning medals at the highest level of the unpaid code and among the very best in the world, but he’s so much more suited to pro boxing.
In fact, he’s made for it. For the welterweights of his generation, that should send a shiver down their spine.
Pat has only had one pro fight, a 98 second demolition job at Probellum Throwdown in March, but he is ready, right now to clean up domestically, at 147lbs.
I would love to pitch Pat in with the English welterweight champion Harry Scarff next, because I know he would beat him.
Ekow Essuman is the British and Commonwealth welterweight champion. I know Ekow, I love the guy and have a lot of time for him, but let me be totally straight about this: he couldn’t live with being in the ring with Pat.
McCormack is special.
The North East fans love boxing and they have been craving for that one fighter to get behind, who will bring huge nights to the region; McCormack can do all of that and take those people on one hell of a journey.
Lewis Ritson has been a brilliant flag bearer for Newcastle boxing over the last few years, but things are about to take off with McCormack.
On Saturday night, at the Vertu Motors Arena and live on Channel 5, Pat has his second pro fight, when he faces France’s Dimitri Trenel over six rounds.
I’d be surprised if it went six rounds because McCormack is a rare talent. Tune in and see for yourself.
My old friend Lisa Whiteside is back. And as soon as she steps foot through the ropes on Saturday night, any champion at bantam and super bantam is on notice.
When I was a manager, I signed Lisa and just before she took a break from the sport to focus on becoming a mum, she was on the cusp of a world title fight.
You will see this weekend in Newcastle, why that was the case. Lisa was another excellent amateur that came off that Great Britain production line, winning medals all around the world, but like Pat she’s made for the pros.
Lisa can really punch hard. She carries serious power, and she is not the kind of fighter who is happy to coast to a points victory – not a chance.
I can’t wait to see Lisa end that near three year wait and get back into the ring. It will be a special moment but, also, the beginning of her road to winning world titles.
When Lisa gets the job done in Newcastle, then she’ll be ready for big fights next.
I can’t wait."
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