Gunning for Golovkin – Spike backs GGG to beat Canelo and set up showdown

It might not be as financially rewarding for him personally but Spike O’Sullivan will be cheering for Golovkin when the GGG-Canelo rematch plays out in September.

As revealed by Irish-Boxing.com, the Cork middleweight will provide chief support to the massive Kazakhstan v Mexico repeat on September 15th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

While coach and manager Paschal Collins seemed to imply that O’Sullivan is being lined up for Golden Boy stablemate Canelo, the Mahon man himself is committed to chasing the winner and the WBC and WBA world titles.

Should Canelo [49(34)-1(0)-2] emerge victorious it could open the door to a massive Texas stadium pay day for the noted Cork banger.

However, the Celtic Warriors middle admits undefeated Golovkin [38(34)-0-1] has long since been his dream opponent.

Granted, a clash with Golovkin wouldn’t pay peanuts, but the reigning champ doesn’t generate the same level as revenue as the Mexican favourite.

However, it’s not all about the cash for Spike [28(20)-2(1)].

“All my focus now is on September and then getting the winner. Canelo would, financially, be the bigger fight eventually, but I’ve always wanted to face ‘GGG’. That’s my dream fight, and I believe I can beat him and take his ‘0’,” O’Sullivan told Sky Sports.

The Murphys Boxing man had previously been hopeful of fighting Canelo in September but his plans were scuppered when the disgraced Guadalajaran 160lber failed a drug test and recieved a ban which postponed the rematch.

Arguments over revenue split then had some doubting whether a September rematch would go ahead and there were suggestions Spike may fill a GGG-sized hole and trade leather with Alvarez.

However, the former Irish champion was always confident he would be chief support to a rematch of last year’s controversial draw and not part of a Golden Boy main event.

“I’ve always said that I thought the rematch would get made, the money involved is too good to turn down,” he added.

“I have a five-fight contract with Golden Boy, with three still remaining, and they promised me, after my last fight, that I would be on this September undercard before being in line to face the winner.”

“I’m already working in the gym, but at the moment there’s no talks of opponent but I expect a top undercard bout.”

Spike, whose two career defeats come against now WBO world champion Billy Joe Saunders and Chris Eubank Jnr, is now 33 years of age but looks to be in the shape of his career and is adamant the sun is nowhere near setting on his Indian Summer.

“It’s all coming together nicely and I’m grateful for my fan base which continues to grow. I believe I’m at my best and coming into my prime. I’ve said many times before, ‘you can’t put an old head on young shoulders’.”

“I train seven days a week now, all in the gym and I walk around at only a few pounds above my fight weight so I definitely think the best is yet to come for me in my career.”