FEW British boxers have been as busy and in-demand as Chris Jenkins in recent years and thereโs good reason for that, too.
The Welsh welterweight, whether in victory or defeat, always gives a good account of himself and, perhaps more importantly, invariably provides the same answer whenever his services are requested: โYes, no problem. When, where, and how much?โ
This fight-all-comers approach has taken Jenkins to a 23-6-3 (8) professional record and it resulted in him boxing three times last year, a rarity for most established pros these days. It has also delivered another big fight for the 34-year-old this Saturday (March 18) in Newcastle when he takes on Cyrus Pattinson, a Geordie prospect of whom big things are expected.
โEverything is bang-on,โ Jenkins told Boxing News. โIโm a little bit ahead with the weight, which is always a bonus, and I had a good spar yesterday with a lad from Plymouth, who is 7-0 and a quality southpaw operator. No disrespect to Cyrus, but I think heโs better than Cyrus.โ
Whereas Jenkins has now been a pro for 11 years, Pattinson finds himself at the other end of the experience scale. Though a decorated amateur, the 28-year-old southpaw is just 5-0 (3) as a pro having turned over in June 2021. He is, however, moving at a fast pace and seeking out challenges unusually taxing for a man of his limited experience.
โI havenโt followed any of it,โ Jenkins said of Pattinsonโs pro career. โThatโs no disrespect to Cyrus. Heโs only had five fights and I was looking at the boys at the top.
โWhen I found out I was fighting him, I had to look him up because I didnโt know who he was. I didnโt know how heavily backed by Matchroom he is. Heโs like the next big star for them in the North East.
โJoe Cordina, who is from Cardiff, spoke very highly of him to me, but he also said I have the tools to beat him. Iโve watched a bit of him since the fight was made and everything he does he does really well.
โItโs a step up for him but heโll be hoping he is catching me at the right time. Boxing is all about timing, isnโt it? Whether Iโm the same fighter I was two or three years ago, I donโt know. But Iโve got experience over him and Iโm putting in the graft in the gym. Iโve got the best coach in the UK in Gary Lockett and if he didnโt think I had it in me anymore, he would tell me.
โPhysically, though, I feel great. Iโm in there with these youngsters having tough spars and I know theyโre not getting the better of me. I understand certain aspects of my game might have slowed down, but what I do with that knowledge is try to find a positive and I know that my experience is a bonus now and a real asset at this stage in my career.โ
Aware of the possibility of the fight since Christmas, Jenkins claims he has had between eight and 10 weeks to prepare for it and will, as a result, be more than ready for whatever Pattinson offers him on the night. He is also determined, he says, to right the wrongs of what he feels was an unfair decision loss against Tyrone McKenna last August, which has only added further motivation ahead of this next test in Newcastle.
โIt left a bitter taste in my mouth, sure, but I just had to get back on the horse as they say,โ Jenkins explained. โDuring the fight I thought I was winning. Going into the last round, Gary (Lockett, trainer) said to me, โBe careful this round, youโve got it. Itโs yours. Youโve done everything.โ
โSome rounds were close but the rounds I won I thought I won big. But itโs boxing, isnโt it? I go into peopleโs backyards and stuff like this happens. Itโs life. I didnโt win, no, but what makes me happy is that the fans went home happy. They were coming up to me afterwards and telling me what a good fight it was. The main thing is that Tyrone and myself went home healthy to our families.
โI went away for a nice holiday with the wife and the kids after the fight before getting back in the gym. I was hoping to fight before Christmas but that didnโt come off. Then we got news of this fight.โ
Back again, after last year boxing McKenna, Florian Marku and Julius Indongo, Jenkins thinks he knows why. โIโm a born entertainer,โ he said. โI could make fights a lot easier for myself by using my boxing ability more but when you get that burst in your belly you just go for it. I think thatโs going to happen in this fight as well.โ
As for this upcoming fight against Pattinson, Jenkins is under no illusions as to the size of the task, nor does he argue the fact he will be an underdog going into it. Even so, until it is proven otherwise, he feels has enough left in the tank, and enough experience from an 11-year pro career, to give another unbeaten prospect the test he both needs and would probably rather delay.
โGary sees me in the gym every day, more than anyone else, and if he had any concerns regarding this fight or my career, he would tell me,โ Jenkins said. โHe is like a father figure to me. He is more of a father figure to me than a coach.
โIโm up against it, I know that, but lifeโs a challenge and I just love challenges. Weโll take it a round at a time, see whatโs working and what isnโt, and Gary Lockett will guide me. Hopefully, with his guidance, I can get the win. Itโs really as simple as that.โ