Fitzgerald: I have to get over Saturday before I can focus on Spike

HE has secured the fight both he and Irish fight fans wanted for nigh on five years, but Anthony Fitzgerald can’t dream of beating Cork rival Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan just yet.

The Dubliner first has to over come Harry Matthews in Birmingham tomorrow night. Before he goes to ‘war’ with his domestic rival in the National Stadium on August 30 Fitzgerald has a bout with the English journey man to hold his focus for now.

“While I am delighted to have the Spike fight lined up I can’t look past Saturday night. I have been training hard for this Matthews fight and I am confident I will do a job. Then on to Spike,” Fitzgerald told Irish-boxing.com.

A post fight Fitzgerald is more often than not bullish and full of predictions of doom for his foe. However, ahead of Saturday’s fight with a tough journey man, who has campaigned at super middleweight, ‘The Pride’ is a little more reserved.

‘Fitzy’ claims he will use his second fight with MGM and Seamus Macklin as chance to implement some of the things he has been learning in the gym.

“I don’t need to go out and make any statement, I am going to put into practice everything I have learnt in the gym and once I get the win I get ready for Spike.

“I am not taking time off. I am back training on Monday, for a week in Dublin and then back to the team in Marbella. I am improving all the time out here and my fitness is gone right through the roof. I haven stopped training I didn’t take any time off after my last fight either.”