Callum Walsh Demolishes Dean Sutherland in One Round at Madison Square Garden
On Sunday, March 16, 2025, The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City played host to a thrilling boxing spectacle as Ireland’s Callum “King” Walsh faced off against Scotland’s Dean “Deadly” Sutherland in a highly anticipated super welterweight clash. Billed as the main event of “The Biggest Irish Boxing Card in New York City History” and broadcast globally on UFC Fight Pass, the fight was a centerpiece of St. Patrick’s Day weekend celebrations. What unfolded was a breathtaking display of power and precision, as Walsh dispatched Sutherland in just one round, cementing his status as one of boxing’s most electrifying rising stars.
Callum Walsh entered the ring with an unblemished record of 12-0, including 10 knockouts, and a reputation as a knockout artist with an 83% stoppage rate. The 24-year-old from Cork, Ireland, was defending his WBC Continental Americas Super Welterweight Title for the third time, riding a wave of momentum after three consecutive knockout victories in 2024. Trained by legendary coach Freddie Roach and backed by UFC President Dana White, Walsh has been pegged as a future world champion, with his aggressive, fan-friendly style drawing comparisons to some of the sport’s greats.
Dean Sutherland, a 26-year-old southpaw from Aberdeen, Scotland, brought a record of 19-1 with 7 knockouts and a six-fight winning streak into the bout. With a 37% knockout rate, Sutherland was seen as the underdog but carried confidence from his recent successes, including four wins in 2024 alone. He aimed to upset Walsh and claim the WBC Continental Americas title in his U.S. debut, promising to “crash Walsh’s party” in front of a raucous Irish crowd.
The odds reflected the disparity in perception: Walsh opened as a heavy favorite at 1/7 (-710), while Sutherland sat at 5/1 (+500). The stage was set for a 10-round battle at the 154-pound super welterweight limit, but few could have predicted how quickly it would end.
As the bell rang, Walsh wasted no time asserting his dominance. Fighting out of a southpaw stance like his opponent, he pressed forward with relentless aggression, throwing crisp combinations that rocked Sutherland’s head from the opening moments. Sutherland attempted to weather the storm, but Walsh’s speed and power were overwhelming.
Just 2 minutes and 45 seconds into the first round, Walsh landed a devastating right hook that caught Sutherland flush on the chin. The Scottish fighter crumpled to the canvas, folding in half in a scene that left the crowd gasping. Referee Harvey Dock immediately waved off the fight—no count was necessary—as Sutherland remained down, unable to recover from the thunderous blow. The official result: Callum Walsh defeats Dean Sutherland via KO at 2:45 of Round 1.
The knockout was so emphatic that it’s already being touted as a candidate for “Knockout of the Year.” Walsh’s record improved to 13-0 with 11 knockouts, while Sutherland’s dropped to 19-2, ending his winning streak in brutal fashion.
The packed house of Irish fans erupted as Walsh celebrated his fourth straight knockout victory. Post-fight, he was jubilant, declaring, “Nobody can beat the Irish!” He called Sutherland his toughest test yet but vowed to knock out anyone who steps in his path. “I’m getting stronger every fight,” Walsh said, his confidence palpable.
Promoter Tom Loeffler of 360 Promotions, who organized the event, praised Walsh’s star power. “Callum Walsh is as advertised,” Loeffler said. “No other young fighter in boxing is selling thousands of tickets in multiple locations and impressing fans with these types of knockout performances.” With Walsh headlining Madison Square Garden for the third time, Loeffler hinted at big plans, including a potential annual St. Patrick’s Day tradition.
Dana White, present ringside, has long championed Walsh, and this performance only bolstered his belief in the young Irishman. With White reportedly spearheading a new boxing venture under TKO Group Holdings, Walsh could be a cornerstone of those ambitions as he climbs the super welterweight ranks, where names like Vergil Ortiz and Tim Tszyu loom as future challenges.
For Sutherland, the loss is a setback, but at 26, he has time to regroup. His pre-fight bravado didn’t translate into the ring against Walsh’s onslaught, underscoring the gap between the two fighters on this night.
The event featured a stacked undercard that thrilled the crowd. In the co-feature, super featherweight Feargal McCrory (17-1, 9 KOs) overcame a fourth-round knockdown to stop Keenan Carbajal (25-5-1, 17 KOs) in the eighth round. Heavyweight Thomas Carty (10-1, 9 KOs) suffered an upset loss to Dajuan Calloway (11-3, 8 KOs) via a second-round retirement. Super lightweight Cletus Seldin (29-1, 23 KOs) edged Gabriel Solano (11-4, 5 KOs) by majority decision, while an all-Irish super middleweight rematch saw Emmet Brennan (6-0, 1 KO) defeat Kevin Cronin (9-3-1, 5 KOs) by unanimous decision.
At 24, Walsh is on a fast track to contention in a division brimming with talent. His combination of power, charisma, and high-profile backing makes him a marketable force. A world title shot may still be a year or two away, but performances like this keep the hype train rolling. For now, Walsh remains the king of St. Patrick’s Day weekend, and the boxing world is taking notice.
