Undefeated Aberdeen boxing star Dean Sutherland is sparring with European welterweight champion David Avanesyan.
Sutherland will spend this week in Nottingham sparring with the Russian knock-out specialist.
The 23-year-old insists going toe-to-toe with former world champion Avanesyan will be ideal preparation for his home city title showdown. Sutherland will face Louis Greene for the Commonwealth super-welterweight belt at the Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen on Saturday November 26.
Avanesyan is also in a training camp for a WBO welterweight world title clash with Terence Crawford.
He will face defending WBO champion Crawford, rated one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, in Nebraska, United States on December 10.
Southpaw Sutherland said: “The opportunity to be sparring with someone of Avanesyan’s level gives me massive confidence going into my own title fight.
“If I can handle my own with someone of that standard then when it comes to my Commonwealth title fight I will be absolutely flying.
“Nothing will stop me.
“I was personally invited down to spar with Avanesyan this week.
“To be brought in to spar him from all the boxers in Britain is a good accolade.
“I will get three sparring sessions in with him on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, which is a brilliant experience for myself.
“When Kell Brook was preparing to fight Terence Crawford they asked me to spar with him as well.
“I must be doing something right.”
Going toe-to-toe with Avanesyan
Boasting a flawless record of 13 wins from 13 pro fights, Sutherland is one of the hottest young prospects in British boxing.
He has already secured three titles – the WBC International silver, WBO Youth and BUI Celtic belts.
Facing Avanesyan will be crucial experience ahead of Sutherland’s title fight against Greene.
Opponent Greene boasts a pro return of 14 wins (eight by stoppage) and three defeats (one by stoppage).
Big-hitting Avanesyan has successfully defended the European title in his last five bouts.
Sutherland said: “He has won by knock-out in his last seven fights.
“Avanesyan is on an absolute roll now.
“He deserves a big opportunity to fight Terence Crawford, who is one of the world’s top pound-for-pound fighters.
“Avanesyan is known for being a handful for sparring partners.
“For me that is what I want – I want to test myself and put myself into deep waters.”
‘Pressure makes diamonds’ as Dean’s sparring comes hot on heels of Freddie Roach schooling
Avanesyan has 29 wins (17 by stoppage) with just three defeats on his record.
The 34-year-old is sparring with Sutherland in a bid to end Crawford’s impeccable record of 38 wins from 38 fights, 29 by knock-out.
Facing Avanesyan is the latest test for Sutherland, who has recently returned from a warm weather training camp in the United States.
While in Los Angeles, Sutherland trained with ring legend Freddie Roach at his Wild Card gym last month.
Roach, 62 trained legendary eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao and four-division world champion Miguel Cotto.
During his time at the Hollywood-based gym, Sutherland also sparred with two former Olympians, now undefeated pros.
Convinced “pressure makes diamonds”, Sutherland is determined to push himself to the limit in preparation for his Commonwealth title date with destiny.
He said: “I want to put myself under that pressure because when it comes to the title fight it will be more pressure than I have felt before.
“They say pressure makes diamonds, so I feel the more pressure then the better I will perform at the end of it.”
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