Sutherland in last eight as Egan bows out

A DAY of contrasting fortunes for Irish competitors at the World Boxing Championships in Mianyang, China, yesterday.

Middleweight Darren Suther-land had little trouble in overcoming his US opponent and progressing to the quarter-finals. However, Kenneth Egan, (light heavyweight), despite a storming finish, crashed out to Swede Babacar Kamara.

Sutherland continued his good form and took two rounds to defeat Edwin Kelly Rodriguez.

The DCU student, representing the Dorset Street club of St Saviour’s Olympic, has enjoyed smooth progress to tomorrow’s quarter-finals, despatching two opponents in two days, both stopped in the second round.

His main weapon was his left jab but it was the variety of punches that saw off the American.

A right hook at the end of the first round pushed the score to 10/4 and the Dubliner quickly clocked up the points to evoke the 20 point rule, finishing ahead 28-8.

Sutherland will now face Russian Kobov Matvey, who looked impressive against Australian Jarrod Fletcher, with the 20 point rule also deciding the issue.

The day’s other Irish representative, Kenneth Egan, was beaten 34-26 by Babacar Kamara with the Neilstown man paying the price for a slow start.

Egan finished the first round 9-5 down and though he cut the gap to 18-15 and cut Kamara over the left eye hewas always playing catch up. Egan took a standing eight count after a heavy bodyshot in the third and simply couldn’t do enough to catch the Swede.

Gary Keegan, Team Manager, said “We are hugely disappointed for Kenny, all of us felt he could go a long way in the tournament. Everything has gone well in preparation but in the ring tonight he didn’t show all he has. The slow start dictated the fight and, as has been seen time and again here, coming from behind is very, very difficult.”