Callum Walsh to Defend Title Against Dean Sutherland on March 16
Callum “King” Walsh (12-0, 10 KOs), the fastest rising star in boxing, returns to the ring on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Walsh, hailing from Cork, Ireland, will headline the St. Patrick’s Day Weekend event, taking on Scotland’s Dean “Deadly” Sutherland (19-1, 7 KOs) in a 10-round battle for the WBC Continental Americas Super Welterweight Title. The fight will stream live globally on UFC Fight Pass.
The Main Event
Callum Walsh (12-0, 10 KOs)
Trained by Hall of Famer Freddie Roach, Walsh is making his third title defense and is ranked #6 by the IBF and #7 by the WBC. The 23-year-old capped off a stellar 2024 by delivering a devastating second-round knockout of Polish veteran Przemyslaw Runowski in his Irish homecoming at Dublin’s 3Arena. Now, he’s ready to electrify New York City.
“Fighting at Madison Square Garden on St. Patrick’s Day Weekend is special. I’ll be ready to put on a show for the Irish fans,” said Walsh.
Dean Sutherland (19-1, 7 KOs)
The 25-year-old from Aberdeen, Scotland, enters the fight riding a six-fight win streak. Sutherland closed 2024 with a dominant fourth-round stoppage of Fraser Wilkinson, defending his title in front of a hometown crowd.
“I’m coming to New York to take the win. My streak continues, and I’ll leave with the WBC Continental Americas belt,” said Sutherland.
Co-Main Event
Emmet Brennan (5-0, 1 KO) vs. Kevin “The Kingdom Warrior” Cronin (8-2-1, 4 KOs)
Dublin’s Brennan faces County Kerry’s Cronin in a 10-round rematch of their intense 2024 clash, which Cronin narrowly won.
Undercard Highlights
- Feargal “Fearless” McCrory (16-1, 8 KOs) vs. Brandon Benitez (21-3, 9 KOs)
A 10-round bout featuring McCrory in his return to MSG. - Thomas “The Bomber” Carty (10-0, 9 KOs) vs. Dajuan Calloway (10-3, 8 KOs)
Popular Irish heavyweight Carty makes his U.S. debut in an 8-rounder. - Cletus “The Hebrew Hammer” Seldin (28-1, 23 KOs) vs. Issouf Kinda (20-6, 9 KOs)
A super lightweight, cross-town clash in an 8-round bout. - Donagh Keary makes his pro debut in a 4-round featherweight fight (opponent TBA).
Promoter’s Take
Tom Loeffler, head of 360 Promotions, said:
“This is the biggest Irish boxing card in New York City history. Callum is a future superstar, and this event gives him another chance to prove it on a global stage. We’re excited to partner with UFC Fight Pass for this incredible night.”
Fight Details
Date: Sunday, March 16, 2025
Venue: The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
Key Points
- Main Event: Callum Walsh defends WBC Continental Americas Title against Dean Sutherland.
- Co-Main Event: Irish rivals Brennan and Cronin rematch.
- Undercard: Features Feargal McCrory, Thomas Carty, and Cletus Seldin.
- Tickets: Pre-sale available now at MSG.com.
Another ‘rising star’ headline? We’ve seen it all before. What happens when Walsh meets a real challenge? Sutherland might surprise everyone, and it’s about time we stopped hyping up fighters based on their records alone.
Although Walsh is touted as a rising star, we cannot ignore the fact that he hasn’t faced anyone like Sutherland recently. This fight will reveal whether Walsh truly deserves his rankings or if he’s just been coasting on hype.
I find it hard to believe that Walsh can maintain his undefeated record against a determined fighter like Sutherland. Underdogs often surprise us in boxing, and this match has all the ingredients for an upset.
While Callum Walsh has shown impressive skills, let’s not overlook Dean Sutherland’s six-fight win streak. This could be a major upset, especially since Sutherland is coming in with strong momentum and confidence.
I can’t wait for the fight on March 16! Callum Walsh is such an exciting fighter, and his last knockout was incredible. The energy at Madison Square Garden will be electric, especially with it being St. Patrick’s Day Weekend!
While Walsh has an impressive record, it’s important to recognize that Sutherland’s experience and current winning streak make this a more competitive match than many are predicting. Underestimating Sutherland could lead to a surprising outcome.