Frank Maloney Boxing: Sutherland Targeting Irish Title

Darren Sutherland looks certain to become the first Olympian to challenge for a professional boxing title.

His promoter Frank Maloney has plans for the Beijing bronze medallist to challenge for the Irish super-middleweight title later this year.

Sutherland (3-0) bids to continue his impressive professional form at York Hall, Bethnal Green tomorrow (Tues 30th June) when he meets Ukraine’s Gennadiy Rasalev (2-1) in a six rounder.

Maloney said: “The progress Darren has made with his trainer Brian Lawrence is astonishing, and he could be ready for a title later this year.

“When he turned professional in December, I thought it would be 18 months before he’d be ready, but there is no stopping him.

“There are some good Irish-Americans who could challenge him for the all-Ireland title, but the opponent I would like is Jim Rock.

“It would be a great fight between two Dubliners who would be so fired up because of local bragging rights.”

Provided 27-year-old Sutherland passes the Rasalev test, Maloney plans for him to box again ten day later in Sunderland before taking a well earned family break.

Top of the bill at York Hall is Jason Booth’s (32-5) British super-bantamweight title defence against Rocky Dean (14-10-2).

The action packed card also features a fierce British featherweight title eliminator between Harrow’s Sikh slugger Akaash Bhatia (14-0) and Welshman Jamie Arthur (14-2).

Tickets for ‘Back from the Brink’ are available at £80 (ringside) and £30 from all fighters and 0871 226 1508. To obtain a discount on all ticket prices buy from www.frankmaloney.com. There will be some tickers available on the door.