Cyrus Pattinson is clawing his way back from what he describes as "rock bottom" as he gears up for another pivotal bout in Newcastle this Saturday. Once a standout amateur representing Great Britain, Pattinson was just one victory shy of securing a spot at the 2016 Olympic Games. After turning professional in 2021, he quickly amassed six consecutive wins, earning a solid fan base and establishing himself as a ticket‑selling attraction in the North East.
His early professional career featured a dramatic victory over former British champion Chris Jenkins, followed by a hard‑fought loss to Conah Walker. That defeat in 2023 proved to be a turning point, but not for the reasons a fighter hopes for. The stoppage left Pattinson without a promoter, a manager, or a trainer, and he was simultaneously battling a severe eye injury that threatened to end his career altogether.
The circumstances were grim, and Pattinson admits the darkness was almost overwhelming. "It was rock bottom.
I wasn't even looking towards next week and next month or the next fight. Sometimes it was that dark that I was just trying to find a way of getting through the day, surviving the day," he told Sky Sports. "Because there were that many bad and negative thoughts that were running through my head. That 24 hours sometimes felt like a lifetime.
But I was always just living by that motto of one more day, getting through the day wherever I was." He also opened up about the mental toll the period took on him. "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," he added.
The path to recovery led Pattinson to Billy Nelson's gym in Glasgow. Initially he arrived as a sparring partner for Jack Rafferty and later for world champion Lewis Crocker.
Nelson saw potential in the battered fighter and eventually took him under his wing. After stringing together three successive victories under Nelson's guidance, Pattinson is now set to step back into 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 confidently. "I do enjoy getting stuck in, I do wear my heart on my sleeve and I'll always be that way. If something's going easy, I'll put more effort in.
That's the way I've been brought up and that's the way I am as a person. I put my heart and soul into everything I do.
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." Looking back, the loss to Walker now appears to have been a valuable learning experience. Walker has continued to ascend, most recently knocking out Olympic silver medallist Pat McCormack in Monaco.
"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," Pattinson reflected. "He's gone on to be successful and be one of the bigger names in the welterweight division in the country. 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." Pattinson's ambitions extend beyond the immediate fight.
After the Saturday showdown, he aims to set his sights on the British and Commonwealth welterweight crowns. His trainer, Billy Nelson, echoed that sentiment, telling Sky Sports, "I'm very happy with Cyrus' improvement. He's a consummate professional to be perfectly honest, both inside and outside the ring. He actually lives with me when he's up in Scotland for his 10‑12 week training camp.
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 himself remains focused on the short term while keeping an eye on the long‑term prize. "I'm just keeping my eyes open and ears open for any opportunity that presents itself.
100 per cent my focus is on Saturday," he said. "But long‑term British and Commonwealth would be fantastic, I'd love those 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.
When I've already come from what I've come from and the things that I came through, I trust myself more than anyone else. As long as I stay true to me then that's all that matters." Pattinson's story is a reminder of the resilience required in professional sport, especially when physical injury and mental health challenges intersect.
For anyone facing similar struggles, help is available. If you are affected by any of these issues or simply need someone to talk to, you can reach the Samaritans on the free helpline 116 123, or visit their website at www.samaritans.org.