Sutcliffe shocked European #2 sought to fight him

Philip Sutcliffe Jr has been afforded the ‘big opportunity’ he has been waiting for since he turned pro back in 2013.

The best kept secret in Irish boxing takes on the European #2 welterweight Anthony ‘Can You Dig it’ Yigit at the Barclaycard Arena in Germany on Saturday knowing victory in his tenth fight will see him become next in line for the European title after just 10 fights.

The 26 year old admits to being uncharacteristically excited and he knows what is at stake, but when speaking to Irish-boxing.com from Hamburg this week he seemed somewhat insulted that Yigit sought to fight him.

Sutcliffe like his team are surprised that the avoided puncher has been selected as an opponent for a Sauerland Promoted fighter with a lot to lose.

The Crumlin BC graduate isn’t one for bold statements and wouldn’t go as far as to say Yigit has made a big mistake, but he couldn’t hide his surprise.

“I am wondering why they are taking a risk. He is number 2 in Europe and he is looking to fight me?

“You know more than most I have never called anyone out. It’s not my style. I didn’t go looking for him. I leave who I fight down to my manager Pat Magee.

“Pat is really surprised they have taken it, but we are here in Germany now and the fight is going ahead. I have to get in and do the business.”

Via his manager Sutcliffe has offered to take last minute fights against some well-known foes, but his advances have always been quickly rejected. It was always accepted that a fighter who showed knockout power even in the amateurs, would need some fortune to get his break.

In that regard his team couldn’t believe their luck when the Yigit offer came, indeed they had their fingers crossed so tight between initial contact and the the arrival of the paper work they needed them surgically prised open to sign on the dotted line.

However, Sutcliffe while admitting delight at the opportunity suggests not everything about the fight has been ideal. The former Senior Champ would have liked more notice.

“This is a big one for me,” he added.

“A real chance. I am delighted. The only thing is I didn’t get six weeks notice to focus on a proper camp. I have been training and I was sparring Anthony Crolla, which is good, but I thought I was out again on May 28th, so when I got home from sparring I wasn’t too focused on fighting or weight. I even took my girlfriend out one night!”