Olympian Sutherland turns Pro

IRELAND'S Olympic bronze medallist Darren Sutherland is the first Olympian from the home nations to turn professional and will be managed and promoted by Frank Maloney. Sutherland, 26, has signed a three-year contract with Maloney and makes his professional debut in home city, Dublin on Thursday December 18. The historic homecoming will be staged at Dublin City University where Sutherland is studying Sports Science. Sutherland will campaign as a super-middleweight and his fights will be exclusively televised live by Sky Sports. Maloney said: "From the minute I watched Darren in the Olympics he was the only fighter I wanted to sign." "I believe he will become the my fifth world champion following in the path of Lennox Lewis, Paul Ingle, Scott Harrison and David Haye. "This is a long term mission and will be an incredible journey. I invite the Irish public to join Darren on what will be a fantastic ride. "On a personal level I haven't felt this excited since the day Lennox Lewis signed with me in April 1989." Sutherland's medal in Beijing was one of the finest achievements ever by an Irish sportsman in the Olympics. After a first round walkover, Sutherland outpointed Algeria's Nabil Kassel and Venezuelan Alfonso Blanco before losing to eventual middleweight winner James DeGale in the semi-final. Sutherland had won four of their previous five encounters against the Englishman and it would be no shock if their paths crossed in a major professional fight. Sutherland is expected to work with several British and American trainers before deciding who to team up with. Maloney expects to announce the Irishman's first professional opponent next month.Ticket for Sutherland's professional debut at DCU will be on sale next month, and the card will also feature leading British and Irish fighters. DARREN SUTHERLAND FACT FILE Born: 18th March 1982 Birthplace: Dublin Stance: Orthodox Nickname: The Dazzler Amateur Club: St Saviour's ABC Amateur Honours: 2008 Irish Olympian - Bronze medallist Gold Medallist in European Olympic Qualifier, Greece Irish National Senior Champion 2007 Irish National Senior Champion. Gold medallist in Multi-Nation Tournament, Croatia. Gold medallist in Multi-Nation Tournament, Finland. Bronze medallist in Multi-Nation Tournament, Germany. European Union Champion, Ireland. Silver medallist in Multi-Nation Tournament, Ukraine... Gold medallist in Multi-Nation Tournament, Germany. Last 16 of World Championships, USA. 2006 Irish National Senior Champion. Four Nations Champion, Ireland. 2005 Gold medallist in Multi-Nation Tournament, Liverpool. Gold medallist in Multi-Nation Tournament, Albania. Gold medallist in Multi-Nation Tournament, Russia. Quarter-Finalist, World Championships, China.2003 Win - Ireland V Germany (home). Bronze medallist in All Ireland Senior Championships. 2002 Irish Under-21 National Champion - 75kgs. Bronze medallist in All Ireland Senior Championships 2001 Irish Under-21 Champion - 71kgs. Win - Ireland V France (away). Win - Ireland V France (away). Win - Ireland V Poland (away) 2000 Irish Intermediate Champion - 71kgs Leinster Champion - 71kgs. 1999 (in England) Quarter-finalist Junior ABA Championships - 71kgs. North-East Counties Junior ABA Champion - 71kgs. NABC North-East Regional Finalist - 67kgs. Yorkshire Champion - 67kgs 1998 (in England) NABC National Semi-finalist - 67kgs. NABC National Regional Champion - 67kgs. NABC Northern Counties Champion - 67kgs. Yorkshire Champion - 67kgs.