Darren eyes final shot at Beijing
Dublin middleweight Darren Sutherland admits he is putting himself under pressure to qualify for this summer's Olympic Games in Beijing
IT'S the Last Chance Saloon for Dublin middleweight Darren Sutherland as he works out in the National Gymnasium for the final Olympic qualifier in Athens starting on Monday and running for seven days.
National senior champion for the past three years and EU gold medallist in 2007, the St Saviours BC boxer is arguably the hardest hitter the 75kg division has produced since the young Steve Collins won the National Seniors in 1986. Collins also happens to be Sutherland's favourite boxer and Darren could well follow the Celtic Warrior into the pro ranks before the year is out.
"Any eye and hand injuries I've had have fully cleared," he said yesterday. "I'm fully fit and raring to go for Athens. I realise this is my final chance to get to the Olympics and I'm giving it my best shot. I'm putting no pressure on myself but I'm determined to get through.
"I feel that good performances will get me my ticket for Beijing. I know that there are many things out of your control in these qualifying tournaments, such as injuries and the like, but I feel good and in terrific shape. The IABA's High Performance Unit are satisfied with my fitness so I'm all set.
"I'm not changing my style and I'll be giving it my all. The Olympics is every boxer dream and I'm no different. It's the ultimate prize in amateur boxing and I don't intend to let it slip away in this final qualifying tournament. I have dreamed about the Olympics since I was a kid boxer and I want to get on the Irish team."
Sutherland, 26 in two weeks, missed out in the penultimate Olympic qualifier when he was edged out in Pescara, Italy last month by England's James De Gale, who he had beaten three times before. But in a box-off in Dublin for a place in Athens, he repeated his 2008 National Seniors win over Kilkenny's Darren O'Neill by 15-8.
"There has been a lot of speculation in boxing circles here that I may turn professional, especially as the sport is on a high just now with Brian Peters promoting a succession of successful cards. The paid game is certainly something that appeals to me but I won't make any decision until later in the year. We'll see how it all pans out."
In Athens, Sutherland will be joined by Dublin flyweight Conor Ahern, Kildare lightweight Ross Hickey, Dublin lightheavy Kenneth Egan, Kildare heavy Tom Sheahan, Belfast superheavy Cathal McMonagle and the Joyce cousins from Kildare, feather David Oliver and lightwelter John Joe
Kildare welter Roy Sheahan hopes to complete the eight-man team, depending on how his broken left hand has responded to treatment. He sustained the injury during a sparring session with a Latvian boxer at the Irish team's training camp in Italy shortly before the Olympic qualifier but early indications suggest that it may be healed to resume action.
He expects to know for definite this morning following a final exam by his specialist, but if he gets the all-clear, he will still have to go through with a previously arranged box-off against Donegal's Willie McLoughlin at the National Stadium on Friday. It is a bout Sheahan should win, as he has been national champion for the past three seasons.
"Roy has been working hard towards a place in Beijing for the past four years now and it would be heartbreaking if he didn't get a chance to qualify," said Gary Keegan, director of the IABA's High Performance Unit. "It's been a race against time, with every 24 hours vital, so hopefully he will get the all-clear for the box-off."
Meanwhile, Andy Lee's hopes of a return with his lone conqueror Brian Vera, tentatively set for New York in July, is in doubt as the American's promoter Jeff Wald says he is considering "several other options." The Limerick southpaw was ahead up to the stoppage in the seventh round.