Dean Sutherland vs Corey McCulloch confirmed
In an exciting twist to the show at Aberdeen’s Beach Ballroom on Friday March 11, the headline fight will now be an all-Scottish affair between Dean Sutherland and Corey McCulloch – with all the action LIVE/FREE on Fightzone.
Top prospect and local man Sutherland 12-0 (4) was always due to headline the Fight Academy and Kynoch Boxing Promotions affair but with current events in Europe making it even more difficult to find a match, Arbroath’s McCulloch (pictured) has stepped in at late notice for a great opportunity to leapfrog his rival.
McCulloch, 4-1-1, was due to fight for the Scottish Welterweight Title just a few weeks ago before an injury to champion Stewart Burt scuppered that contest. And the 28-year-old was already slated to appear on the undercard for Friday’s Beach Ballroom show, so will be more than ready for this 10-round tussle against Sutherland.
The pair are no strangers and have sparred together lots previously but – with the headguards off and the small gloves on – this is a fight where anything can happen. Sutherland has impressed in his last two fights, picking up stoppage wins against good opposition and claiming WBC and WBO fringe titles.
‘Deadly’ Dean, 23, will be the clear favourite ahead of what should be an exciting fight, but cannot afford to take his eye off the ball against McCulloch if his dream of fighting for the British Title in the near future is to be realised.
“Corey’s been on the card for a while and Dean was always the main event,” explained promoter Sam Kynoch. “With the difficulty in getting opponents, it just made sense for Corey to go for it. They work a lot together in terms of sparring but they’ll be leaving all that aside on fight night. For Corey this is a huge opportunity to cause an upset but I manage both so I’m sitting on the fence!
“Corey’s a strong fighter who likes to come forward, and he’s super fit. He’ll be in great shape and Dean’s going to need to be at his best and can’t take his eye off the ball. Full credit to Corey for stepping in – no one else in the UK would take the fight but Corey took the opportunity straight away.”
“We’ve built up a friendship over the years but we were both struggling for opponents and I’m never one to shy away from a fight,” said Corey. “The opportunity was there and I’d rather fight a 10-rounder against someone like Dean than dance about with somebody for four rounds. Dean’s brilliant and I’ve come on leaps and bounds just sparring with him but it’s a fight with the small gloves on and if I can keep my composure then anything can happen.”
“Full credit to Corey for taking the fight,” stated Sutherland. “At the end of the day though it’s an individual sport and it’s either my career or his. We can be pals after the fight but on the night it will be strictly business. It will be very different to sparring with 16oz gloves on – the whole fight night and the adrenalin. I’ve sold loads of tickets and just because I know my opponent, it won’t change anything. He’ll be trying to take away everything that I’ve worked for and the win is the only thing that matters.”
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