Dean Sutherland: “I’m going to give it everything”
By Jamie Sokolowski, February 2021.
What happens to a rising boxing prospect when their impressive momentum is suddenly halted? Their next fight, for which they’ve trained painfully, is cancelled and the gym doors slam shut. Social media posts that once got thousands of likes dry-up, and attention goes elsewhere. How does a young fighter advance when routine, central to physical and mental wellbeing, is replaced by obstacles and uncertainty? I caught up with Aberdeen’s Dean Sutherland, the promising 22-year-old undefeated welterweight boxer, who has experienced it all over the last 12 months: frustration, reflection, and the resilience to carve out new opportunities.
“At the start of the pandemic, I couldn’t work and so I thought I’d commit myself fully to boxing, almost as if I was a full-time pro. I trained three times a day, watched my diet, and really dedicated myself. I thought it would all be over soon enough and I would be in a good position. But, as the months went by, I couldn’t maintain that level of training. It dropped to once a day, then once a week, then it was really hard to motivate myself. You would train and then fights would fall through. You’d get going and then everything was out of the window again. You start to struggle and think ‘nothing is going to happen for me’”.
Something had to give for the undefeated fighter, who saw some of his peers hang up their gloves and leave the sport, flattened not by punches but lack of hope. That sharp, blunt choice – evolve or die – sparked major changes in Sutherland’s career.
“I’ve been with the Skyaxe Gym in Dundee – [a neighbouring city over 60 miles away from home] – since I turned professional and I have nothing but respect for them, but I had to look at it. The travelling became difficult during the pandemic and I felt I needed a change. I switched to the Granite City Boxing Club in Aberdeen and it’s given me a whole new lease of life. I feel like this is a new chapter in my career. All of my team are now in the one city – my boxing gym, nutritionist and strength and conditioning coach – and I feel more focused”.
“I’ve enjoyed working with Davey [McAllister] and it’s a good stable with Billy Stuart and the lads. Of course, the pandemic has been tough, but it’s also given us the advantage of time. When fighters change coaches, they might only get a few weeks before their next fight, but we’ve had months to get to know each other and settle. I think we’re gelling really well as a team”.
You can count the number of current superstars in Scottish boxing on one hand, perhaps one finger. A privileged few who have the clout to dictate their own terms. For the rest, particularly during the pandemic, opportunities to reach that level have been scarce and far from ideal. Scots have been drafted-in on unfavourable conditions against English fighters on televised bouts; at times ill-prepared and odds-on to lose. You have to commend these boxers who earned money and invaluable lessons from their brave, if unsuccessful, efforts. But that wasn’t to be for Sutherland, who turned down offers to fight Chris Kongo and Florian Marku on just a few days’ notice. A tempted Sutherland was re-balanced by his family, trusted manager, and new team to focus on his development, confident that other options would arrive.
“My apprenticeship in boxing is over and I’d love to fight those names. I’m ready to take risks but not like that. Not getting a phone call on a Wednesday night asking if you would fight a top guy at the weekend. I’m 22 years old and have a vision for my career. I didn’t need that”.
It takes maturity to arrive at those conclusions. The desperation to get back in the ring looms constantly. The allure of the television cameras, the interviews, the national spotlight is strong. The fantasy of knocking out a home favourite to then be signed by the biggest promoters in the sport is pulling. But it’s a gambler’s chance. Instead, Sutherland spent time with his manager, Glasgow’s Sam Kynoch, to develop more substantial opportunities. The Aberdonian is now amongst three Scottish fighters to recently sign with well-respected English promoter, Dennis Hobson, a veteran who has worked with David Haye, Ricky Hatton, and who retains strong connections across the sport. The offer of a lucky shot has been replaced by a considered plan full of potential.
“I’m delighted to sign with Hobson and think it’s a brilliant deal. Our expectations are aligned. Neither of us want to have meaningless fights. I’m now ready to jump straight into the deep end. We aim to be out four times this year and have a title fight as soon as possible. I’m happy to fight down south on his shows, but there’s also plans to host some up in Aberdeen, and that is perfect for me. I’d love to have big nights in front of a home crowd”.
“There’s a lot of work to do but things are going well now. I’m focused with all my team and family in Aberdeen, I’m still working with my manager – Sam Kynoch – who has been fantastic with me, and now I have the platform of Dennis Hobson Promotions”.
“I can’t say the last year’s been easy, but I’ve tried to stay positive. It depends on how you look at things. You either keep your head low and feel sorry for yourself, or you fight back and make the most out of it. Use the time to be the best you can be and improve. I’m going to give it absolutely everything”.
