Sutherland steps up to fulfil big fight destiny

DARREN SUTHERLAND looks set to fulfil another ambition tonight by claiming a national senior title at the National Stadium.

One can never dismiss an opponent and Sutherland will have a lot of respect for Edward Healy when they touch gloves for the middleweight final, but the talented Portlaoise man is short on experience and would cause a major surprise if he was to win.

Kenneth Egan of Neilstown looks another virtual certainty. The Dubliner - the most experienced member of the High Performance Squad - will be going for a sixth successive light heavyweight title. Last year he beat fellow Dubliner, Darren O’Neill (Paulstown), pretty convincingly and there is nothing to suggest the result will be any different when they meet tonight.