Aberdeen Boxing Showdown for ‘King of the North’ Title Features Dean Sutherland and Fraser Wilkinson

Dean Sutherland and Fraser Wilkinson, who have previously sparred, are set to face off on Saturday in a bout promoted as ‘The King of the North’ showdown. Sutherland stated, “I don’t think I would be able to walk about in Aberdeen the same” should he be defeated. The Aberdonian fighter, Sutherland, will defend his Celtic super-welterweight title at the sold-out Beach Ballroom. This contest also serves as an eliminator for a British and Commonwealth title fight. This fight is arguably the most significant to take place in the Granite City since Lee McAllister, a local favourite and multiple title winner, challenged Denis Shafikov for his European light-welterweight belt 12 years prior. The local rivalry between the two boxers considerably heightens the event’s appeal. Wilkinson, who is 24 and originally from Moray, now resides in Aberdeen and receives training from Davie, McAllister’s brother and Dean’s former coach. Wilkinson informed BBC Scotland: “I wouldn’t say we are close, but we have shared camps, we have sparred a lot, we have got mutual respect for each other, so maybe he has taken it as a bit of disrespect I have taken the fight. But, coming from where I have come from, I am not going to get many opportunities like this. That was the whole basis on why I took it and, because I believe I can beat him, I think Dean is overlooking me.” Sutherland, however, asserted that “there is absolutely no disrespect” towards his local competitor. He stated: “For him to still want this fight and especially in my backyard, in my hometown, the fact he thinks he can beat me, it really gets me excited and up for it. Fraser is a nice guy. That all goes out the window until after the fight. He is young, he has got a great coach in Davie, they will be able to rebuild after this fight and come again, but with me being 26, the position I am in and with what I have worked up to, nobody is taking this from me.” Wilkinson previously underwent Royal Navy “warfare specialist” and Royal Marine training before being convinced to pursue professional boxing. Despite his record of 10 victories and one loss, Sutherland is considered the favourite, having secured 18 wins in his 19 professional fights. “It is the biggest of my career so far – all the risk is on me,” Sutherland affirmed. “I have got everything to lose and a bit to gain. The biggest thing I have got in my head, the biggest reward at the end of this is the bragging rights of Aberdeen. Like it says, The King of the North is the name of the show and that is what it comes down to – it is bragging rights. I don’t think I would be able to walk about in Aberdeen the same if I got beaten by Fraser, so there is a lot on the line from a personal aspect of it as well, as much as the professional credentials.”