The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Sutherland vows to tear apart champion Yaxley
Aberdeen boxer Dean Sutherland has vowed to “dismantle” Sion Yaxley in a high stakes Celtic super-welterweight title clash.
The 25-year-old will face undefeated defending champion Yaxley for the British Boxing Board of Control Celtic belt at the Beach Ballroom in Aberdeen today.
The clash also doubles as a British title eliminator.
After an intensive training camp in London Sutherland says he is in the best shape physically and mentally of his career.
And he has vowed to deliver a performance that will make the boxing world take notice.
In preparation Sutherland has sparred with world title contenders O’Hara Davies and Denzel Bentley.
Sutherland boasts a prorecord of 16 wins (five KO) with just one defeat.
Welshman Yaxley, 27, also holds the IBO Continental super welterweight title and has a flawless record of 13 wins (two KO) from 13 contests.
Sutherland said: “Yaxley is a good-quality, undefeated opponent who is the champion but the way I’m going to dismantle him will be special.
“This is the biggest fight of my career to date and I believe it’s going to be my coming out party.
“Physically, I am in the best shape and my sharpness is incredible.
“I am in absolute peak condition and I am so mentally sharp and ready for the fight.
“If I needed any extra motivation, it being a British title eliminator is it.
“A lot of people will be talking about my performance for a while to come.
“I will beat the champion who is undefeated and coming from the famous Joe Gallagher gym.
“It will be a performance people will not forget, it will be one that gets me recognition.”
Defending champion Yaxley secured the Celtic title with a unanimous points defeat of Kieran Gething (12-2-2) in July last year.
Yaxley trains out of the legendary Gallagher’s gym in Manchester which produced world champions including Anthony Crolla, Scott Quigg and Liam Smith.
At the helm of the team is Joe Gallagher, the first ever British-born trainer to win the Ring Magazine Trainer of the Year Award.
In May 2019 Sutherland beat Keane McMahon (6-00) to win the BUI Celtic welterweight title.
In 2021 he stopped highly rated Mexican Jose DelgadoVelazquez (10-1-0) to claim the WBO Youth welterweight title.
Later that year Sutherland secured a stoppage victory over Michele Esposito (18-4-1) for the vacant WBC International Silver welterweight belt.
Now he is gunning for more title glory.
Sutherland said: “When you look at the opponents I have been in against and then Yaxley has faced the calibre is totally different.
“I have been tested and pushed myself.
“However, I don’t think he (Yaxley) has seen any deep waters but I’m going to take him there and drown him.
“I will be on my absolute A game and beat him in every single department.
“If Yaxley wants to sit back and try to counter-box then I will pick him apart.
“And if he wants to get into a brawl I have been there and done that.
“The only thing that matters is coming away with that win and the title.”
In preparation for the title showdown, Sutherland undertook six weeks of sparring in London against world title contenders Ohara Davies and Denzel Bentley.
Davies is the reigning WBA Interim World superlightweight champion and has a pro record of 25 wins (18 KOs) and three losses.
Bentley, who has 18 wins (15 KO), three losses and one draw is set to fight for the WBO International middleweight title today.
Sutherland said: “I got top-quality sparring and I don’t think you are going to get much better than Ohara Davies and Denzel Bentley.
“I just have to go out there on Saturday to show the level I am at.
“Yes, Yaxley is the champion and undefeated but he hasn’t been in the ring with me yet.”