Survival of the Fittest- Sutcliffe claims fit Sweeney can beat Warrior Waldron

Phil Sutcliffe claims Michael Sweeney’s pre fight training camp holds the key to who wins the all Mayo battle between the Storm and Sutcilffe’s charge John Waldron in Castlebar on August 12.

The Crumlin Gym boss claims Sweeney will ultimately reap what he sows and suggests if he elects to train seriously for the fight his superior skills will make victory a big ask for his fellow county man.

Whilst he not suggesting derby demolition the Dolphil trainer does think an in shape Sweeney could win the eagerly anticipated bout.

“Michael Sweeney is a big ask for John, but then again Sweeney doesn’t train properly. That is Waldron’s best chance. John is a hard worker and trains hard, but if Sweeney puts in the work he should have the skills to cause John trouble,” Sutcliffe honestly explained.

The pro and amateur trainer has first hand Sweeney experience having worked with the Ballinrobe man prior to his Irish light heavyweight title fight with Ian Tims.

Sutcliffe revealed after seeing the type of shape Sweeney was in prior to the bout he considered pulling the talented big man out.

The former Olympian suggested the former Banner Promotions fighter wasn’t ready for the ‘Facebook fight’ and believes if ‘The Storm’ was fit he would have blown the undefeated Tims away.

As it was Sutcliffe admitted the Dubliner deserved to win what turned out to be a quality Irish title fight and suggested  fight won out of over flair on March 19.

“Before the fight with Timsey I asked Sweeney if he wanted the fight. He was not fit at all. I know he put it up to Ian in stages but he wasn’t fit enough for a championship fight. Skill wise he was fair superior to Ian Tims. Ian is a hard dog for a hard road. You know what you get with Timsey and in fairness to him he won the fight by four rounds in my book. However if Sweeney was fit he would have boxed the years of Ian. That was obvious in parts of the fight were he showed that little bit of class. I am not taking anything away from Ian he did what he had to do and he worked the hard. Michael’s best chance was to catch Ian with one of his big shots, but Timsey was fit and is like a rock. He is one of the toughest men in Irish boxing.”