Darren Sutherland - Turns pro with Maloney
Published October 16, 2008 by Martin Bean
It was announced today that Darren Sutherland, Ireland’s Olympic bronze medalist in Beijing this summer, is turning professional with Frank Maloney.
FrankMaloney.com reported that Sutherland has signed a three-year deal and will make his professional debut in Dublin on December 18th.
Sutherland is bound to have fantastic support for his debut – not only is Dublin his home city, but the contest is being staged at Dublin City University where Sutherland himself is a student! So we can expect lots of his fellow students in support (will they get student discount on the ticket prices Frank?!).
Sutherland, 26, is to begin his career as a Super Middleweight but I fully expect him to come down to Middleweight in the long term as he seeks title fights.
Frank Maloney is delighted with capturing Sutherland, who would no doubt have been coveted by many promoters and said: "From the minute I watched Darren in the Olympics he was the only fighter I wanted to sign. I believe he will become the my fifth world champion following in the path of Lennox Lewis, Paul Ingle, Scott Harrison and David Haye. This is a long term mission and will be an incredible journey. I invite the Irish public to join Darren on what will be a fantastic ride. On a personal level I haven't felt this excited since the day Lennox Lewis signed with me in April 1989."
Boxing Capital shares Maloney’s enthusiasm. Of all the Olympic prospects this summer, Sutherland was the one who stood out as having the right blend of ability, strength and style to make a successful transition from the amateurs to the pro game. Remember also that Sutherland holds a 4-1 advantage over the highly touted James Degale, who is commanding GBP 2 million to turn professional. Sutherland may have lost the one that mattered in Beijing, but you don’t beat an Olympic gold medalist four times out of five unless you have talent.
No announcement has been made as to who will train Sutherland but he is expected to work with a number of British and American trainers before deciding who to team up with.
Darren Sutherland fact file
- Born: 18th March 1982
- Birthplace: Dublin
- Stance: Orthodox
- Nickname: The Dazzler
- Amateur Club: St. Saviour's ABC
Amateur Honours:
2008
- Irish Olympian - Bronze medallist
- Gold Medallist in European Olympic Qualifier, Greece
- Irish National Senior Champion
2007
- Irish National Senior Champion.
- Gold medallist in Multi-Nation Tournament, Croatia.
- Gold medallist in Multi-Nation Tournament, Finland.
- Bronze medallist in Multi-Nation Tournament, Germany.
- European Union Champion, Ireland.
- Silver medallist in Multi-Nation Tournament, Ukraine
- Gold medallist in Multi-Nation Tournament, Germany
- Last 16 of World Championships, USA
2006
- Irish National Senior Champion.
- Four Nations Champion, Ireland.
2005
- Gold medallist in Multi-Nation Tournament, Liverpool
- Gold medallist in Multi-Nation Tournament, Albania
- Gold medallist in Multi-Nation Tournament, Russia
- Quarter-Finalist, World Championships, China
2003
- Win – Ireland V Germany (home)
- Bronze medallist in All Ireland Senior Championships.
2002
- Irish Under-21 National Champion – 75kgs
- Bronze medallist in All Ireland Senior Championships
2001
- Irish Under-21 Champion – 71kgs
- Win – Ireland V France (away)
- Win – Ireland V France (away)
- Win – Ireland V Poland (away)
2000
- Irish Intermediate Champion – 71kgs
- Leinster Champion – 71kgs
1999 (in England)
- Quarter-finalist Junior ABA Championships – 71kgs
- North-East Counties Junior ABA Champion – 71kgs
- NABC North-East Regional Finalist – 67kgs
- Yorkshire Champion – 67kgs
1998 (in England)
- NABC National Semi-finalist – 67kgs
- NABC National Regional Champion – 67kgs
- NABC Northern Counties Champion – 67kgs
- Yorkshire Champion – 67kgs
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