‘All it is, is words’ – Gary Cully claims there is no substance to Joe Fitzpatrick call out

Gary Cully [9(4)-0] suggests the call out from Joe Fitzpatrick [10(7)-0] is lightweight in more ways than one.

Cully is into actions not words and told his fellow Irish lightweight to put his money were his mouth is by making him an offer.

Cully was one of four names ‘The Dragon’ called out post winning his first career title on the top of Celtic Clash 9 ,- a day after the Kildare fighter made a successful return from a hand issue.

Boxing Ireland now want to secure the BUI Celtic lightweight champion an Irish title shot – ideally on the top of Celtic Clash 10 – and claim they are open to any and all domestic 135lbs comers, including ‘The Diva’.

The popular Naas southpaw has intimated he may have something bigger in the pipeline, but remains open to the match up.

However, he points out no offer has been made and as a result he is all but dismissing the linking of the pair as talk.

The 23-year-old stresses when the glove was on the other hand and he was looking to fight the Belfast fighter last year his desire to trade leather was ratified by a firm offer.

He has now called for his lightweight rival to prove he really wants it by sending a contract.

“When we wanted the fight we put an offer on the table to go with that. They just say they want the fight to the press or on social media, but there is no substance to it or offers put on the table,” Cully told Irish-boxing.com.

“When I wanted the fight and tried to make it didn’t happen. Then I moved on and all of a sudden they want us to come back with more offers. If they want the fight that much then put an offer on the table. “

“All it is, is a call out until there is an offer put in place. Look it doesn’t get much of a reaction from me at the minute because all it is words. When I have called out fighters previously there has always been an offer put in place to fight them.”

The 6’2′ Pete Taylor-trained prospect has had his courage questioned by Fitzpatrick fans since there man expressed his desire for domestic bouts.

However, Cully is keen to point out he is the one with the proven track record when it comes to trying to get the fight made. The rangy southpaw revealed two offers were put Fitzpatrick’s way when he was under MHD’s guidance and claims he wasn’t to blame for the fight not materializing.

“We put the offer in place to fight Joe before and it didn’t happen for whatever reason and if it doesn’t happen now it’s not my fault. We have tried to make the fight on two occasions and it didn’t happen. “

“I am interested in the fight if it’s for an Irish title. It’s a 9-0 record against a 10-0 record so it makes for a good fight. Obviously I’d be interested,but as I said the offer has been made before. I am getting texts of mates of Joe saying I am scared of Joe, but again the offers were made before and it hasn’t happened because of them, for reasons on Joe’s end,” he adds before going into details with regard to the offers.

“The two offers were made when Joe was with previous management. The first one he was out of the gym for whatever reasons and we were told he was unavailable because he wasn’t training. The second offer, which they say was accepted, they asked for mad money for an eight round fight. I think €12,000 for an eight round fight. That was around the same time the [Paul] Hyland fight was being talked about and they asked for the same money for Hyland as they did Joe. It didn’t make sense.”

The Kildare fighter can see the appeal in the fight and understands why a degree of hype has generated around it. It appeals to the MTK-managed stylist too, but he intimates his priorities may lay elsewhere at present.

“If it happens now it happens, but if it doesn’t I am not going to lose sleep over it. My management are talking about bigger fights at the minute,” he continues before all but giving a possible Fitzpatrick match up sales pitch.

“It would make for a good fight. I am 9-0 Joe is 10-0, we both have good amateur pedigree, two tall rangy southpaws so it would be a good fight. That’s why people are talking about it and interested and obviously it would be a good fight for Irish boxing. It makes sense that way.”

While Cully hasn’t been overly complimentary with regard to how the call out has come, he is complimentary of the Nugget Nugent-trained fighter.

“Of course [Joe] would be a step up. I am not going to sit here and tell you Joe is shit and I’d do this and that to him. Joe has a Commonwealth silver medal and is a quality operator. He is a very good fighter and so am I, so it would be a big step up for both us,” he continues before revealing he also has no issue with ‘The Dragon’ claiming to be the best there is domestically at the weight.

“Good for him thinking he is the best lightweight in Ireland. I believe he believes he is the best, so good for him and good for him coming back from a hard time. He has won a title and fair play to him. Look if you don’t think your the best in this game your wasting your time. I think I am the best lightweight in Ireland, he thinks he is the best and I am sure there are one or two more who argue they are the best. That’s just belief in yourself and until there is offers put in place we can all say that.”