Dean Sutherland hopes a live television audience will get to see the latest step in his burgeoning career as he fights Miguel Aguilar on Thursday night.
The Aberdonian teenager steps into the ring for his third professional bout in Glasgow at St Andrews Sporting Club, on the undercard of the British bantamweight title fight between Kash Farooq and Jamie Wilson, which will be streamed live by BBC Sport Scotland.
Ambitious Sutherland has won his first two contests and goes up against Nicaraguan Aguilar, who has not won a fight in three years and has 49 career defeats from 61 contests.
He said: “It’s been hyped up with it being screened on the BBC website and it’s a great chance to show what I’m about. But it’s not just that which makes it a great platform for me. It’s a big corporate event with businesses and it’s a good way to get my name out there.
“I’ve been making sure I’m 100 per cent ready – I know I’ve got the talent to do it. The team around me is fantastic and I know we can get the job done.”
Sutherland, who works for Bancon Construction, does not turn 20 until October 20 and has back-to-back victories on his record since making his pro debut in June. He was a multi-weight kick-boxing champion before changing sports earlier this year.
He is grateful for the faith shown in him by his promoter Sam Kynoch, whose Kynoch Boxing banner Sutherland fights under. The 19-year-old has set lofty goals for himself and hopes to be contending for a title next year.
Sutherland said:: “The way things are going, I’m enjoying being fast-tracked and being young is an advantage, as I’ll still have time to mature and gain experience under my belt. The more pressure that’s put on me, the better I perform. I want to be fighting for titles by the end of next year – I don’t just want normal fights.
“The opposition level is increasing all the time and it just shows how much Sam believes in me, to be putting me in against these guys. I’m just hoping to continue my impressive start and keep momentum going.”
