Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan was a Billy Joe no-show claims Pascal Collins, adding comparisons as to how the Cork fighter and December 12th opponent Chris Eubank Jr’s performed against Saunders are irrelevant as a result.

Both middleweights lost to the English puncher, who challenges Andy Lee for his WBO middleweight title in Manchester on December 19, but Eubank Jr ran the former Olympian closer.

Both were out boxed by the former British, Commonwealth and European titlist, but Eubank Jr put in a solid performance down the stretch and ultimately lost on a split decision.

Collins, who has stated Eubank Jr is a better fighter than the keyboard warriors give him credit for, told Irish-boxing.com ‘Spike’ just wasn’t right on the night he defended his WBO International title against Saunders.

The Celtic Warrior Gym boss also suggest the fact he was left out in the cold somewhat by Frank Warren played a part, and adds there are no such problems going into this clash as the Cork puncher is feeling a lot of Murphy’s boxing love and goes into the clash on the back of five straight stoppage wins.

“Spike is in a good place at the minute. If I am honest in the Billy Joe fight he wasn’t in a good place, mentally he just wasn’t right that night. I have had ‘Spike’ since he first laced a glove as a pro and I know what he is capable of. We didn’t see the real Spike against Billy Joe. The inactivity leading up to it, he was left sitting on the fence for 12 months by Billy Joe’s promoter, didn’t help. He goes into this fight on the back of five good wins in the last 12 months.

“I believe that if Spike was right on the night he would have stopped him, After three rounds he was confident and closing down the ring, but then nothing?

“He went asleep, it was just nothing I don’t think mentally he was right. A physically and mentally fit Spike beats Chris Eubank Jr believe me,” said Collins before appraising Saunders v Eubnak Jr.

“I thought Eubank Jr did great against Billy Joe. Billy Joe boxed the ears off him for six rounds and then I am not sure if he got bored or what, but he allowed Eubank into the fight. It was big mistake because Eubank did a good job when afforded the chance to perform. But you can’t read too much into those fights. Billy Joe will confirm that Spike was a different kettle of fish when they sparred.”