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“I’ve said yes” – Spike O’Sullivan gives Golovkin update


It’s close, but it’s not there yet.

Spike O’Sullivan [27(19)-2(1)] has moved to update boxing fans following the cancellation of the middleweight title rematch between Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez.

The Cork fighter emerged as the front-runner to replace Canelo and interest in the Mahon man skyrocketed last night when the Mexican superstar officially withdrew from the clash.

Kazakh king Golovkin [37(33)-0-1], who holds the IBF, WBA, and WBC belts, now needs an opponent for the May 5th ‘Cinco de Mayo’ date in Las Vegas – and Spike has confirmed that he has accepted the fight.

At least seven other top names are hoping to replace Canelo, who withdrew following the storm surrounding two failed drug tests. However, it is widely believed that O’Sullivan is set to be confirmed for the fight which has been now moved from the T-Mobile Arena to the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

33-year-old O’Sullivan took to social media this afternoon to give an update and explained how “[m]y job as a professional boxer is to say yes to fights and to make sure I’m ready for them. After that, it goes to the people who negotiate the deals to make the fights possible.”

“I’ve said yes to fighting GGG, I’ve been training nonstop since my last fight and now I’m waiting to see if it can be agreed, just like you. I trust my team to do what’s right for me, one way or the other.”

“As soon as I know what’s going on I’ll tell you. I truly believe that it is my destiny to become the world champion.”

Paying tribute to his followers, O’Sullivan stated that “I want to thank every single person who has sent me messages, emails, tweets, and DMs this week. I’ve had literally thousands every day from people all round the world. I try to read them all but I can’t reply to everyone.”

“The positivity and support is overwhelming and it means more than you could imagine.”

“If I get the opportunity to go in against the best I won’t let you down.”

The Celtic Warrior Gym man shot to Stateside prominence in December with a sixth-round stoppage win over touted prospect Antoine Douglas.

That fight was the Murphys Boxing man’s first of a four-fight TV deal with Golden Boy Promotions – for whom Canelo generates the majority of their income.

It emerged that O’Sullivan was being lined up as a September opponent for the Mexican – win or lose versus Golovkin – and that he would fight the night before the now-cancelled middleweight match-up.

With Canelo now out of the picture for the foreseeable, and O’Sullivan having been in camp training for a May 4th fight, he has suddenly become the leading contender to face Golovkin.

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Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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