Cork’s Callum Walsh delivers devastating first-round KO at Madison Square Garden 

Cork boxer Callum Walsh floored Scotland’s Dean Sutherland to secure an impressive first round knockout in the headliner at Madison Square Garden.

Topping the bill at the famed boxing venue’s downstairs arena, Walsh moved to 13-0 (11 KOs) with a huge left hand and devastating right hook that saw referee Ricky Gonzalez immediately end the fight.

The 24-year-old Cobh native demolished Sutherland 19-2 (7 KOs), his toughest opponent to date, in awesome fashion live on UFC Fight Pass. Dana White was seated ringside and congratulated Walsh on a statement victory.

“I was born for this,” Walsh declared post-fight. 

“I am destined to be the best fighter in the world. I am getting stronger and stronger and I am showing it each time. 

"Looking forward to the future.

“I could fight again tonight if they want, or next week. Who knows? 

"Dana White is in the building here and he has plans. Put any man in front of me and I will take him out.” 

Walsh continues to rise in the paid ranks under the tutelage of Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach. 

He headlined a 3Arena card last September and promoter Tom Loeffler revealed that they have already targeted a Los Angeles card in July.

On the undercard, there was a disappointing first pro defeat for Dublin heavyweight Thomas Carty 10-1, (9KOs). Dajuan Calloway 11-3 (8 KOs) won by TKO after Carty collapsed with a knee injury in the second round and tried to limp through but was visibly struggling.

Carty ignited a large Irish contingent in the crowd when he walked out to the soundtrack of Put 'em Under Pressure. 

His US debut ended in devastation as he sat slumped in his corner with trainer Paschal Collins consoling him.

The highly anticipated Super Middleweight rematch between Tokyo Olympian Emmet Brennan and Kerry’s Kevin Cronin ended in 98-92, 98-92, 98-92 scorecard win for the Dubliner. 

Their previous bout in Dublin was a controversial classic with Cronin and UFC supremo White taking issue with the scorecard. 

This time Brennan was much more comfortable, moving to 6-0 (1 KO).

Meanwhile, Oleksandr Usyk has been ordered to start negotiations to defend his WBO heavyweight title against Joseph Parker – potentially scuppering Daniel Dubois’ hopes of a rematch with the Ukrainian.

The WBO announced Usyk, who also holds the WBC and WBA crowns, has 30 days to “reach terms” for a mandatory title defence against New Zealand’s Parker or the sanctioning body will call for purse bids.

Parker defended his WBO interim title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, last month with a second-round stoppage victory over Martin Bakole, a late replacement after Dubois withdrew because of illness.

Rather than reschedule his bout against Parker, IBF champion Dubois had hoped for a return meeting against Usyk, who defeated the Briton by ninth-round knockout in August 2023.

The heavy-handed Dubois rebounded with impressive stoppage wins over Jarrell Miller and Filip Hrgovic before most recently knocking out compatriot Anthony Joshua at Wembley last September.

The 27-year-old Londoner (22-2, 21KOs) was in talks to face Usyk in a fight that would see all four major world heavyweight titles put on the line but the WBO’s announcement puts a spanner in the works.

Usyk became undisputed champion in boxing’s blue riband division with a split decision victory over Tyson Fury last May but vacated his IBF belt before the rematch, with Dubois elevated to full champion.

Former undisputed world cruiserweight champion Usyk extended his perfect professional record to 23 wins in as many fights, with 14 stoppage victories, after overcoming Fury in a rematch in December.

As Usyk was speaking immediately after being declared the winner by unanimous decision, Dubois entered the ring and interrupted the London 2012 gold medallist’s interview to demand a bout.

But it seems Parker, who held the WBO title from 2016 to 2018 and is on a six-fight winning streak since losing to Joe Joyce in 2022, is now at the front of the queue.