DCU to host first pro boxing fight

DCU is set to make history as the first university to host a pro boxing fight when Darren Sutherland makes his professional debut in the super middle weight division on December 18.

The fight which will be televised live on Sky Sports will take place in a 1500 seated arena in the DCU sports centre

Sutherland who has been pursuing a sports science degree in the college for the past two years said he was extremely excited about the prospect of launching his Pro career in his hometown of Dublin.

He said: “I am absolutely thrilled that my debut will be in DCU because they’ve been a big part of my life the last four years and have supported me 100 percent with both my studies and my boxing career. I’m really excited now I just want to get in there and fight.”

His promoter Frank Maloney said such a move was unprecedented and it was an incredible achievement to bring professional boxing to DCU. “It’s history. I like to make history. It will be history to box in the university. It has never been done before and to talk Sky into it was quite an achievement.

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.”

An opponent for the debut bout will be announced in the coming weeks. Ahead of the fight Sutherland will continue to train with his local club ST Saviours and will also be travellig over to London for professional sparring. Maloney has earmarked DCU as the first stop of many for Darren in his quest to fight for a world title in three years time.

“We are going to go through the route we talked about. First the Irish title followed by the commonwealth and then the European title. I would be hoping for him to fight for a world title by the third year.”

The line up on the night will feature a number of leading British and Irish fighters. There is expected to be a huge demand for tickets which will go sale next month.

Photo: DCU Media Library.