Longing to battle Robbie predicts rumble with Spike

June 24 Jonny Stapleton

Robbie Long admits there is a possibility he could walk away disappointed after his Irish middleweight title fight with Gary Spike O’Sullivan this Saturday night, but claims displeasure will be the last emotion anyone that watches the fight will feel.

King Long isn’t making any bold predictions about ending the Irish middleweight champions domestic reign, but is certain the fight itself will an all action be show stealer.

The Tallaght native has fight of the year previous having entertained Irish fight fans in a by now legendary trilogy with WBA world number 11 Anthony Fitzgerald.

Most fans crave another dramatic Long Fitzgerald sequel, but the Golden Cobra fighter claims his bout with the Frank Warren trained Cork man will be an equally enthralling spin off.

The Paddy Hyland trained fighter wet the appetite for the all Ireland clash, sharing an intense head to head with O’Sullivan at a packed Square Shopping Centre hosted weight in today.

And whilst he admits he might be underdog ahead of the title fight he claims he won’t be out fought in the National Stadium tomorrow.

“Spike comes to fight like myself, but I love to fight. I enjoy a fighting more than any middleweight in Ireland I will keep on him and push him and test him. It’s going to be fabulous fight, a real cracker. All the hard work is done now. It is just about getting and doing the business in the ring now,” Long told www.irish-boxing.com.

Despite claiming Spike doesn’t pose to many threats Long admitted putting a lot of work into hardening his body over the last six weeks. The come forwarded brawler is aware the Pascal Collins trained Cork fighter is lethal to the body and tuned his mid rift to absorb the punishment..

“Seen Spike fighting a few times and I don’t think there anything to be too worried about. I know he has a big body punch so we worked on that. I have been toughening up the body and I am ready to absorb what he throws,” he added before claiming he is enjoying the underdog tag.

“I am definitely the underdog. I have two loses to Fitzgerald and Spike is unbeaten in 12. I don’t mind being underdog, it means I am under no pressure. I have nothing to loose when I get in the ring and everything to gain.”

　

Meanwhile Finbarr Eade claims the Irish boxing public will see the best of him for the time since he went pro.

The westerner, who seems to relishing the chance to fight as a paid fighter in the National Stadium on a world title under card, revealed this is the first time his fight preparations were not hampered by injury.

As a result the unbeaten star is eager to show everyone what he can do.

“It is my first time ever as a pro fight without having any injuries in the build up. Preparations couldn’t have gone better. Hopefully everyone will see me at my very best. It is great to be boxing in the National Stadium for the first time as a pro is great. The fighter I am fighting looks very strong and I have to be careful too,” Eade told ww.irish-boxing.com.

The former Dolphil fighter also stressed sparring with the Hyland brothers, who also appear on the card, has been a major boost.

“Sparring the three Hylands has been great and it has brought me on a bit. Everyone has been saying this is the best I have looked. Hopefully I have been a good help for them too. The lads are flying. Last Monday three Hyland brothers, Stephen Ormond and myself were sparring and I have to say I wish I couldn’t have just sat back and watched. It was some session and we are all flying,” he added before stressing he would like an Irish title before the year is out.

“I plan to get through this fight first, but then I am hoping one more fight and then an Irish title shot.”