Spike O’Sullivan goes the distance in Mayo comeback fight

Just 12 weeks on from his crushing world title final eliminator loss in Las Vegas, Spike O’Sullivan was back in the ring tonight in Mayo.

Returning home after four years away, the Cork fighter got back to winning ways and started a new title push at the Royal Theatre in Castlebar.

Beginning his move down towards the light middleweight division, O’Sullivan outpointed the brave Gabor Gorbics in an eight rounder.

34-year-old O’Sullivan had been stopped in the first round of his clash with David Lemieux in Las Vegas back in September but was not deterred by the result and cut a relaxed figure tonight as he walked to the ring tonight to much adulation as Tony Christie’s ‘(Is This The Way To) Amarillo’ blared around the theatre.

Gorbics had been stopped five times previously in 39 bouts – by Anthony Fowler, Liam Williams, Asina Byfield, Sergey Lubkovich, and Kerman Lejarraga – and never before the fifth round. The Magyar lived up to his durable reputation and would bring O’Sullivan the full eight rounds.

Spike began patiently, cutting the ring off as Gorbics circled furiously.

The Hungarian showed a bit more aggression in the second but was quickly pummelled by heavy shots from O’Sullivan. However, the Mahon man was perhaps loading up and Gorbics was proving durable.

The visitor was giving things a good go in the third but was getting caught by straight counters by O’Sullivan and retreated into his shell in round four.

The Leesider began to employ a cross defence in the fifth from which he would throw hooks but Gobics continued to stand firm.

A nice right hand visibly hurt Gorbics in the sixth as O’Sullivan repeatedly forced the action.

The fight opened up for its best period of action toward the end of the seventh as Gorbics threw shots, including a clean overhand to the chin, while O’Sullivan nailed him with counters and did damage on the ropes.

Going into the final round, the Celtic Warriors man did not push recklessly for the KO and Gorbics, deservedly, saw the final bell.

Heading to the cards with little doubt, O’Sullivan was confirmed the winner on the referee’s scorecard by an 80-72 margin.

The comeback win sees O’Sullivan improve to 29(20)-3(2), while the game Gorbics drops to 26(16)-14(5)

O’Sullivan will look to return to the ring early in the new year – most likely back in the U.S. – but perhaps TG4 may be willing to test the waters in Cork should co-promoters Golden Boy and Murphys Boxing be amenable.

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Earlier on on the televised ‘Homecoming’ undercard, the returning Roy Sheahan [5(2)-0] dominated Romanian Marian Cazacu, eventually forcing a stoppage in the third round. Dylan Moran [8(5)-0] was given a much-needed six rounds by Nicaaguan tough guy Nelson Altamirano in an entertaining scrap.

The early undercard results can be seen HERE.

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)