Sutherland excited by pro debut

14 November 2008 – by Mark Doyle

Darren Sutherland has admitted that a career in the paid ranks was always his long-term goal in boxing.

The 26-year-old Irishman, who claimed a bronze medal in the middleweight division in this summers Olympics, will make his professional debut in a six-rounder at The Helix in D.C.U. in Dublin on December 18 and Sutherland is looking forward to take the first step on a path that he hopes will lead to world title glory.

“It feels like this has been years in coming, because the whole reason I started boxing in the first place was to go professional,” he was quoted as saying in the Irish Daily Mail.

“I’ve been waiting my whole life nearly to get in there, and it’s great that I am starting with a six-rounder.

“I asked for that because a lot of people tend to start with four rounds of three minutes but I think I am ready for six.

“Training will be a lot more endurance-based now because the amateurs is four two-minute rounds and it’s more like a sprint.

“Also, you are boxing to the computer, whereas in the pro game you have to pace yourself and it’s more of a power game, about imposing yourself on your opponent.

“It’s a new challenge and something I’m looking forward to. The hard work starts now. I’ve set my stall out and I wanna be a world champion.”