Undefeated super-welterweight star Dean Sutherland has vowed to put Aberdeen back on the boxing map.
The 24-year-old will face Louis Greene for the vacant Commonwealth title at the city’s Beach Ballroom on Saturday, November 26.
Sutherland, aka ‘Deadly’, insists he is in the best shape of his career so far as he bids to overcome Greene.
Such is the backing for Sutherland, who is bidding to secure a fourth pro title, the Beach Ballroom showdown is already a sell-out.
Sutherland insists Aberdeen sport fans are “screaming out for some success” and vows he will be involved in “huge fights” in the Granite City next year.
He is ultimately targeting title fights at the P&J Live and then Pittodrie stadium.
Sutherland, who boasts a flawless record of 13 wins from 13 fights, said: “I want to put Aberdeen on the boxing map.
“The city is screaming out for some success and for something to get behind.
“It would be a real honour for myself to maybe be one of the flagbearers for that.
“I want to win the Commonwealth title and then bring some huge fights in 2023.
“The big thing for me is to bring big time boxing back to Aberdeen.
“The ideal scenario would be to eventually fight at the P&J Live and then Pittodrie.
“A major local backing is something that is accessible as the Beach Ballroom is sold out.
“That is the standard I am setting.
“The dream I always had was being a full time athlete and fighting at Pittodrie.
“I have one of them out of the way now need the next one.”
‘I will be too slick and too strong’
One of the hottest rising prospects in British boxing Sutherland has already secured three titles – the WBC International silver, WBO Youth and BUI Celtic belts.
Commonwealth title opponent Greene has a pro return of 14 wins (eight by stoppage) and three defeats (one by stoppage).
Greene stopped previously undefeated Tomasz Nowicki in Poland in May this year.
The 30-year-old from Kent has previously fought for the WBO European welterweight title, losing by stoppage to Lewis Crocker in August 2020.
Greene also fought for the IBF European title in December 2018, losing to Larry Ekundayo by unanimous decision.
Sutherland, who has stepped up a division to super-welter, said: “I expect Greene to bring it and be the best version of himself.
“He just recently had a big win in Poland against an undefeated Polish fighter.
“After that win in Poland he will be high on confidence.
“However it will be a much more hostile crowd in Aberdeen.
“I think I am better in all departments.
“I will be too slick and too strong, especially at this new weight as I have fully filled myself out to it.”
Unbelievable support for my Commonwealth title fight on the 26th!!
Thank you so much to everyone for the support👏🏻@SamKynoch @KynochBoxing @Northern_SC_Ltd @evolveduk @TEXO_UK pic.twitter.com/ebtfQuXAyO
— Dean Sutherland (@Deano_Suth) November 4, 2022
Training with boxing legends
Northern Sporting Club’s Billy Stuart will fight Gary Ducie on the undercard for the Scottish super-bantamweight title.
Stuart (12 wins, one loss) trains at the Aberdeen-based Granite City ABC.
Aberdeen teen Gregor McPherson, 18, will also make his pro debut on the undercard.
In preparation for the biggest fight of his career to date Sutherland has been working with some of the best in the business.
Sutherland jetted to the United States to work with ring legend Freddie Roach at his Wild Card gym in Los Angeles last month.
Roach, 62, trained legendary eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao and four-division world champion Miguel Cotto.
During his time at the Hollywood-based gym, Sutherland also sparred with two former Olympians, now undefeated pros.
He faced Mexican Raúl Curiel, who competed in the 2016 Olympics at welterweight.
As a pro, Curiel has 11 wins from 11 bouts, nine by knockout.
The Aberdonian also sparred Armenian Arman Darchinyan, who fought at the 2020 Olympics and has won his first two pro fights.
Soon after returning from the States Sutherland spent a week in Nottingham sparring with European welterweight champion David Avanesyan.
Former world champion Avanesyan (29 wins, 17 by K0, three losses) is also in a training camp for a WBO welterweight world title clash with Terence Crawford.
Avanesyan will face undefeated defending WBO champion Crawford in Nebraska, United States on December 10.
Sutherland insists he is in the best shape of his career and ready to go 12 rounds against Greene if needed.
Predicting stoppage but training for 12 rounds
However ‘Deadly’ is predicting he will secure a stoppage win to lift the Commonwealth belt in front of his Granite City fans.
He intends for there to be many more title wins in his home city.
Sutherland said; “I am hitting new personal bests all the time in my training sessions.
“It is the first time doing 12 rounds for myself.
“I believe it is the first 12 rounder for Greene as well.
“I don’t really see it going 12 rounds if I’m honest.
“However I’ll be fully ready for 12 rounds.
“If it has to be 12 then it will be the best possible performance from myself over that distance.”
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