Cork Cowboy Spike O’Sullivan rides into Texas to fight for Irish justice

Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan [30(21)-3(2)] plans to get Irish revenge on Jaime Munguia [34(27)-0] to set up a world middleweight title fight.

The Murphy’s Boxing entertainer takes on the Mexican who was extremely fortunate to get the result when he defended his WBO light middleweight world title against Kildare’s Dennis Hogan in April, on January 11 in Texas.

The clash is at middleweight so his fellow Golden Boy affiliated puncher’s light middleweight world title won’t be on the line, but the Cork fighter believes victory will set up a world title shot at 160lbs.

Indeed, ‘Spike’ has got word the clash will be an eliminator for a one of the four world crowns – presumably the WBO’s version of the title considering Munguia’s standing in that organisation. However, that title is currently held by Demetrius Andrade a fighter heavily linked to O’Sullivan’s former stablemate Luke Keeler.

Regardless of what’s at stake the Celtic Warrior Gym fighter is keen to register a marque win on the first big show of 2020 and a win that will ‘rectify’ the wrongs surrounding Munguai’s Dennis Hogan win.

“I believe if the fight had been in Ireland Dennis would have got the fight,” was O’Sullivan’s verdict when he spoke to RTÉ Radio 1’s Sunday Sport.

“Munguia got the decision in his back yard. I like Dennis a lot. I’d like to try and rectify the result for the Irish.”

O’Sullivan had moved down to light middleweight after his reverse to David Lemieux and was eyeing up a world title shot at 154lbs.

When Munguia first became an option he was a world champ at the Cork man’s new weight, but moves up the scales for this one, meaning the Pascal Collins trained fighter still awaits a coveted shot at a world crown.

Although he won’t have to wait long if he beats the Mexican in Texas.

“We’re going to fight at middleweight and I believe it’s going to be a world title eliminator at middleweight.” 

Munguia has been public enemy #1 since his very controversial win over Dennis Hogan in April, but ‘Spike’ is quiet fond of his fellow come to fight puncher.

“I met him in Vegas when we both fought there last September, he’s a very sociable guy… a nice guy.

“As a fighter, for what he’s achieved already, he could be a Hall of Famer down the road. He’s an outstanding fighter,” he adds.

Whilst he respects his opponent and his style he also points out it is a style he favours.

‘Spike’ points out the undefeated 23-year-old is no Billy Joe Saunders and will no doubt leave his chin out to be tested at various points of the fight.

“I like guys who come to have a fight. I’ve had trouble in the past with the likes of Billy Joe Saunders, who likes to move and box and not engage too much. I’ve got a lot of power and I like to engage myself. I think it’s going to be a very entertaining fight. It is going to be difficult for me but I believe I’ve got the tools to beat him,” he adds before addressing the press conference attire.  

“I thought, while in Texas, why not go as a cowboy? I thought it was appropriate and it went down well.”