Sutcliffe wants to end “ridiculous” Irish title stand-off and fight Danny O’Connor

Not normally one to call others out, Crumlin light welterweight Phil Sutcliffe Jr [11(7)-1(0)] has proposed a possible Irish title fight with Boston favourite Danny ‘Bhoy’ O’Connor.

The former National Senior amateur champ has stated his desire to achieve domestic champion status at pro level, but statements of desire have always been followed by expressions of frustration.

‘Succo’ claims the light welterweights of Ireland don’t want to face him making it impossible for him to achieve one of his pro goals.

“Ever since I turned over I wanted to fight for the Irish title. Some say it’s not the most prestigious belt, but to be champion of your country means a lot. It is a title I have looked to fight for and hope to fight for. Honestly, who will fight me for it? It has gone a bit ridiculous at this stage,” Sutcliffe, who made his MGM debut in Liverpool at the weekend told Irish-boxing.com.

“I looked at the rankings there recently and Danny O’Connor is #1 and Anto Upton #2 then it’s me. I was thinking about ringing Mel [Christle, BUI President] and asking him what’s that about, but seriously I hope I can get to fight for that title soon.”

The Crumlin BC graduate, who possibly due to a close association with the amateur code and the ‘respect all fighters’ mantra that comes with it, is not a call out merchant. The normally reserved Sutcliffe though is outspoken in his desire for the green belt, and he proposed a solution.

It’s a remedy that will certainly excite Irish fight fans and one that seems feasible: Sutcliffe would like to fight the #1 ranked Irish light welter for the strap and says he is willing to fight Danny O’Connor [27(10)-3(1)] in America.

O’Connor, a former Golden Gloves winner and US Olympic alternate, is with Murphys Boxing, who next week promote a show that includes Stevie Collins Jr, Paddy Irwin, Spike O’Sullivan and Niall Kennedy, and such Irish links could open the door for talks.

The Framingham 31 year old is currently boxing to raise funds for his ‘Off The Canvas’ mentoring programme and, should a fight with Sutcliffe be financially appealing, he would most likely take it.

One potential problem is that, despite his spot atop the 140lbs rankings, O’Connor has campaigned closer to welterweight in recent years.

In terms of venue, Sutcliffe nodded to Olympic heroes and former amateur team mates Micheal Conlan and Paddy Barnes, who look set to trade leather in New York on St Patrick’s Day. With MGM, who manage Sutcliffe, Barnes, and Conlan, dealing with Top Rank for the Madison Square Garden card, the Dubliner finding his way onto the show is certainly possible..

“I know Micheal [Conlan] and Paddy [Barnes] are said to be fighting in America next year, what would people think about me and Danny O’Connor for the Irish title on that card? That would be a big fight in America on Paddy’s Day. It would be a good fight and if he wants it I am willing, you know me I would fight anyone. If not on that card we could still do it in Boston or wherever.”