“A fight is a fight” – No big changes needed for ‘perfect amateur’ Gary Cully ahead of pro debut

Gary Cully makes his professional debut this weekend and he admits that he can hardly believe it is all happening.

The Naas lightweight was one of the more notable names to turn pro during the new fighter flood of 2017, and Cully starts off this Saturday in Belfast.

The 21 year old features on the Ginley Promotions ‘Danger at The Devenish’ bill at the Devenish Complex and told Irish-Boxing.com that the last few months since announcing his decision have been “surreal.”

Culy said that “it hasn’t really hit me yet that I’ll be making my professional debut in a few days time but the buzz around my friends and family is class.”

“I’ve also been blessed with a great team around me and a number of great lads who have came on board with sponsorship showing that they believe in me too and helping camp run smoothly for me.”

“The response has been great. I’ve received a massive amount of support from friends and family it’s been surreal. I have quite a few making the trip to Belfast, between 80 and 100. So we will be heard as well as seen Saturday night!”

While his head may be in the clouds, Cully’s feet are firmly on the ground and he has been training like an animal the past two months, both at the MTK headquarters in Marbella, and with trainer Pete Taylor in Bray.

Describing his preparations, the 2013 European Youth champion outlined how “camp has went great, no complaints, It’s my first fight in over a year so I needed a good eight week camp.”

“I’ve been sparring quality operators, Been to Marbella to spar Tom Stalker who was GB’s Olympic captain and fights for a British title soon, been sparring with Eric Donovan who’s just won his first title at the weekend, and have had a couple of gym wars with my stable mate Davey [Oliver Joyce] too.”

“The quality of sparring has been great, times on the track are great, strength’s gone through the roof, and it’s the easiest I’ve ever made weight, I have no complaints or doubts.”

Cully has been described by Irish head coach Zaur Antia as “the perfect amateur boxer,” so it would be understandable if he required a long time to adjust to the rigours of pro life. This however has not been the case, perhaps further proving the merging general styles of both codes.

The St David’s graduate noted that “I think I’ve adjusted well.”

“Just learning a couple of little things, slowing things down a bit, looking for better openings, sitting down on punches a bit more, everything is not 100 miles an hour like the amateurs.”

“But that’s basically it, a fight is a fight at the end of the day and you can either fight or you can’t, amateur or pro it makes no odds.”

Partly the reason for Antia’s label is due to Cully’s dimensions. A physically huge fighter, the Sarto man has a unique approach and promised that on Saturday “fans can expect to see a six-foot-two long rangey southpaw, who can box, who can fight, has an unorthodox style and who’s dangerous with both hands.”

“I’ve shown in the amateurs I’ve got everything it takes to go all the way and people will see that Saturday night.”

While his debut has yet to take place, Cully has already had fight number two confirmed. The lilywhite will fight on the Ryan Burnett v Zhanat Zhakiyanov undercard on October 21st at the SSE Odyssey Arena in Belfast.

This however is no issue for the focused Cully who explained that “I’ve been announced on the Burnett bill in five weeks time but I wouldn’t say it’s hard to keep that out of my head.”

“My camp has been geared towards Saturday night all my sparring has been geared towards the 16th and I am buzzing to make my debut Saturday as that is also a big deal.”

“I’m composed and ready for Saturday the next one hasn’t crossed my mind yet. After Saturday, we will take a few days rest, regroup and then gear towards the Burnett fight.”

On Saturday he faces rugged Hungarian Gyula Tallosi [15(9)-22(10)], a fighter with plenty of Irish previous. In the past sixteen months the Magyar has been defeated by Sean Creagh (TKO2), Joe Fitzpatrick (PTS4), and Feargal McCrory (DQ3).

Cully isn’t too interested in what his opponent can come to the table and stated that “I don’t know much about him. I don’t really want to know much. He’ll be in the ring and then I’ll find out all I need to know about him.”

“I believe he’s been in with a few Irish lads and he’s had 40 odd fights. But I believe I’m the best person he’s fought in them 40.”

“If I focus on myself I don’t need to know what he can do.”

Kildare Boxing is proudly supported by Liffey Crane Hire