Career
Murray Sutherland turned professional in 1977 and in 1981 challenged WBC Light Heavyweight Title holder Matthew Saad Muhammad, but lost by KO in the 9th round. Matthew Saad Muhammad was later quoted as saying that Sutherland was the toughest fight of his career. The following year he took on WBA Light Heavyweight Title holder Michael Spinks but lost via TKO in the seventh round.
He lost the belt in his first defense to Chong-Pal Park.
He retired in 1986 after being KO"d by Lindell Holmes. In 1983, Murray Sutherland fought ten rounds with Thomas Hearns in a Middleweight fight, losing a unanimous decision.
Sutherland was also ranked 1st in the world in the Professional Karate Association before he started his boxing career. He ran a successful gym in Bay City, Michigan for several years and currently lives in Midland, Michigan and works for a restoration firm with a good friend and teaches self-defense classes at local gyms.