Headline News

“I wanted to hurt him bad” – Phil Sutcliffe happy to wipe smile off opponent’s face

Miguel Aguilar earned himself some extra punishment by sporting a cheeky grin while in the ring with Phil Sutcliffe Jr [13(8)-1(0)] last night in Belfast.

‘Succo’s’ eighth stoppage victim could and would have been taken out of his misery a lot earlier, but the noted puncher felt the Nicaraguan was a touch disrespectful after their exchanges.

The Crumlin BC graduate took exception to the smiling journeyman and, as a result took. him a few rounds before taking him out.

Speaking to Irish-Boxing.com afterwards, Sutcliffe noted that “he had that cheeky grin that meant I wanted to hurt him for a couple of rounds. I caught him a few times, but I didn’t pounce on him. I wanted to hurt him bad.”

“I could have taken him out earlier, but I said to myself ‘no, let’s give him a few more thumps to his smiley head,'” he continued before admitting that there was a toughness to his most recent foe.

“I enjoyed the fight. It was good and he was tough as everyone could see. He went the distance with [Connor] Coyle at middle and he only has seven stoppage defeats so he is a tough lad. I caught him one or two nice ones on the chin and he took him.”

The 27 year old Dubliner, whose sole reverse was a majority decision loss to European champion Anthony Yigit, didn’t want to take too much joy from the fight though. For Sutcliffe, it was more ‘job done’ as he returned to journeyman opposition after a career best win over Chris Jenkins in November.

Now it’s back to the big time for the heavy-handed son of former double Olympian Phil Sutcliffe Snr, with a May 13th date in Leeds against unbeaten English prospect Josh Leather.

He outlined that, after a few days rest, his focus will be diverted solely to the IBF Inter-Continental title fight.

“Look, we’ll put our head down now and get ready for this big fight,” said Sutcliffe. “That was a Mickey Mouse fight, but it was good to get a fight in and get rounds in. I’d like to thank the team for getting me out.”

“I haven’t looked past this one [Aguilar], so I wasn’t worried about Josh to be honest. All I really know he is 11-0 and from here on I will look at ways to beat him.”

“I am looking forward to another big fight. It will be a good build up, but I am going back into camp after a couple of days off and getting ready for that.”

Jamie Conlan joins Gavan Casey and Joe O’Neill for Episode 3 of The Irish Boxing Show:

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)

Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

x