Dean Sutherland vows to never hit 'rock bottom' again as Aberdeen boxing star eyes up British title shot

Dean Sutherland reckons falling to the "very bottom" of the sport has helped the Aberdeen boxer climb back up again to edge himself closer to a crack at the British super-welterweight title.

On Saturday May 11, "Deadly Dean" tops the bill at the city's Beach Ballroom against Sion Yaxley in a final eliminator for a shot at the British title, with Welshmen Yaxley's Celtic super-welterweight title also up for grabs. The 25-year-old has built up a record of 16 victories (with five coming inside the distance) and one defeat, with that sole loss coming in a stoppage defeat to England's Louis Greene in a Commonwealth title tilt in Aberdeen back in November 2022.

But the avid Dons fan, who has notched up three straight wins since his loss to Greene, has vowed that the feeling of losing when the stakes are high is something he never wants to experience again. Speaking to BBC Scotland, he said: "I have felt what it's like to be at the very bottom. I don't want to go back to that space ever again.

"I had the whole build up, the vacant title, a sell-out home crowd. Everything was all set up and it didn’t go my way. I will not be letting lightning strike twice."

Sutherland is now based Churchill’s gym in Lambeth, London, where he has had the chance to spar with former British champions and current world contenders Denzel Bentley and Ohara Davies. The former Kincorth Academy pupil reckons the move away from his home city has been extremely beneficial. He added: "I realised what I needed extra from my training and sparring was one of the big ones. I am away from all home comforts, I am away from any distractions.

"I am down here to train the absolute best I possibly can, spar with absolutely the best I possibly can and continue to