Walker, Pattinson are set to steal the show

Pattinson and Walker (right) pose for the cameras

WHEN it comes to boxing styles, both Conah Walker and Cyrus Pattinson are seen as explosive, aggressive exponents of the noble art.

Judging by the pair’s attire at yesterday’s (Thursday’s) press conference for their mouth-watering 10 rounder, they are at different ends of the fashion spectrum.

Newcastle southpaw Pattinson, who has won four of his six pro fights by stoppage, was immaculately attired in a three piece suit. The 29-year-old, tanned and well groomed, was the picture of sartorial elegance.

Rugged Black Country welter Conah – very much a fighter’s fighter - arrived at Birmingham’s Grand Hotel in a white t-shirt.

Their Saturday night collision on Matchroom’s colossal Nxt Gen bill at the Utilita Arena is the potential fight of the night, pitting, in Walker, a man who has earned his stripes against top opposition, with a newcomer being groomed for stardom.

The bout, with Pattinson’s WBA international belt on the line, has captured the public’s imagination and, on paper, it appears a barnstormer.

I spoke to Pattinson away from the cameras and found him a thoroughly pleasant individual, a very, very nice man. For Cyrus, the stakes are very high: win at the weekend and an all-Newcastle super-fight with Lewis Ritson awaits, it has been reported.

Conah Walker…a real fighter’s fighter from Black Country

Conah, from Wolverhampton, has always found time for interviews with this writer, always been courteous.

Outside the ring, Pattison and Walker are gentlemen. Inside it, they spit venom.

Both men ditched trash talk and showed mutual respect at yesterday’s “presser”.

Walker, aged 28, said: “I’ll take any fight at the drop of a hat. I’m here to fight. I want to be in big fights, box for titles, that’s what boxing is all about – showing what you’re about, having a ding-dong.

“That belt is coming back with me to Wolverhampton. I respect him for taking the fight, he’s game. Six fights in, you’ve got to applaud the man.

“The pros are different, there are tricks, you can’t just jump in and do this. It’s a banana skin – six fights in, fighting a man like me. I wouldn’t recommend it. My style is not on the back-foot, I’m not here to run and hide.

“If he carries the same energy as he did in the Chris Jenkins fight (Pattinson won by thrilling ninth round stoppage), everyone is in for a barnstormer. We’ll steal the show.”

Eddie Hearn is interviewed during Grand Hotel press conference

Pattinson refuses to be distracted by a potential future showdown with Ritson.

“I’m not interested in any other fight except Saturday night,” he insisted. “It’s going to be a good fight and I’ve prepared for it like a contender. I know Conah is a very dangerous fighter, he’s an intelligent fighter, as well. I know what he’s going to bring.”

Those in the arena or viewing the DAZN stream should brace themselves. We could be in for a classic.