Humbled Spike O’Sullivan sends post-fight message following Lemieux KO
The build-up was an ugly one but Spike O’Sullivan has taken his defeat with grace.
The Cork middleweight was knocked out in the first round by former IBF champ David Lemieux in a WBA World Title Final Eliminator last night in Las Vegas.
O’Sullivan had sent constant verbal volleys the way of the Canadian – who responded with some extremely dark remarks – and the pair had to be separated at both their fight week head-to-heads.
Perhaps as a result, Lemieux started the fight last night on the Golovkin-Canelo undercard extremely aggressively and sent O’Sullivan down and out in the opening round.
The Mahon man hit the canvas for the first time in his career and was obviously hurt from the defeat but the 34-year-old has taken the result on the chin and vowed to return.
In a message posted to social media within hours of the loss, O’Sullivan [28(2)-3(2)] said “firstly, congratulations to David Lemieux, he caught me with a very good shot. Well done on the win, I wish you luck going forward in your career.”
“Secondly, thank you to Golden Boy Promotions and Murphys Boxing for the great opportunity. Thank you to my team, Paschal Collins, and all the lads at the gym.”
“Thirdly, I will be back. I prepared as best I could for this fight, I got caught with a good shot, and it wasn’t to be tonight but I will be back.
“Thank you all for your support, it means a great deal to me, thank you, I will be back, thank you.”
@lemieuxboxing @GoldenBoyBoxing @murphysboxing @packycollins @KenDKM pic.twitter.com/M7CIf5ha0A
— Gary Spike OSullivan (@spike_osullivan) September 16, 2018
Trainer Collins also gave credit to Lemieux [40(34)-4(2)] who is now in line for a mooted December fight with main event victor Canelo – although the flame-haired Mexican may be set to rematch Golovkin a second time following another close fight.
@spike_osullivan ! Was caught cold with a great Shot ! That would have knocked anybody Down ! Hes OK , hes down ! But he will be back ! Just one of those things ! Congrats @lemieuxboxing & Good Luck 👍☘
— Packie Collins (@packycollins) September 16, 2018
