Frank ticks all of Sutherland’s boxes

DCU’s Olympic bronze medallist Darren Sutherland last week became the first Olympian from the home nations to turn professional.

Last Thursday morning the Helix at Dublin City University was buzzing with excitement as Sutherland sat next to well renowned boxing promoter Frank Maloney to announce the beginning of his professional boxing career.

The second year Sports Science student at DCU couldn’t contain his excitement at the fact he will be living his life-long dream - boxing professionally at super-middleweight level.

He said: “I haven’t slept in the last three days, I’m delighted to be here as it was always my burning ambition to go pro after the Olympics,” adding that, this move is not about money but about ambition.

“Frank ticked all the boxes and we have a good working relationship together,” said Sutherland. When asked was he too nice of a guy to have that killer instinct, Sutherland replied: “Most people when they meet me can’t believe I am a boxer, but in the boxing ring I’m different, I’m like a pitbull going in for the kill.”

Sutherland will prepare in Dublin for his first pro fight in DCU in December.

“I’ll prepare myself in Dublin and continue using my amateur coaching, but in the two weeks up to the fight I will head to London to spar with some pro’s,” said Sutherland.

Frank Maloney was only too delighted to sign Sutherland. “Darren was the only fighter I liked in the Olympics this year. Boxing is looking for a superstar and I really do believe I’m sitting beside him today,” said Maloney.

He described Sutherland as a Michael Watson, Nigel Benn type fighter. He said “I’ve only signed two other Olympians in my whole career of boxing. Two of them went on to be world champions. One of them was Lennox Lewis, the other was Paul Ingle. He is the third Olympian I’ve signed so I know I’m going to get a hatrick here somehow.”

Maloney believes Sutherland will become his fifth world champion following in the footsteps of Lennox Lewis, Paul Ingle, Scott Harrison and David Haye.

He admits his contract wasn’t as good as others in the ring but knows Sutherland has a passion to box and wants to go all the way. “On a personal level, I haven’t felt this excited since the day Lennox Lewis singed with me in April 1989,” said Maloney.

With goals of shaping a superstar and conquering Ireland, England and America along the way, the name Sutherland is sure to be ‘ringing’ in peoples ears. With a number of fights to be staged in Ireland in the duration of his three year contract, and twelve fights in the first two years broadcast exclusively to Sky Sports, this single, 26-year-old will be a hard man to keep down.

Photo: Sportsfile.