Spike O’Sullivan scores comeback win in America

Spike O’Sullivan got back to winning ways tonight in America with a hard-fought win over Jaime Barboza.

Boxing at the Dropkick Murphys’s ‘Irish Festival’ at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford, the Cork puncher claimed an eight round points win over the Costa Rican.

Shaking off the rust following ten months out after his loss to Chris Eubank Jr last November, O’Sullivan prevailed on all three scorecards (78-74 x2, 79-72) after a bruising encounter.

While both tired towards the end, a seventh round knockdown from the Leesider made sure of the win against the busy Central American.

Barboza, a two-time WBA interim title challenger – one of which was against Belfast’s Brian Magee – was game throughout, but the more punishing shots came from O’Sullivan who was a deserved winner.

It was a very decent-quality comeback in terms of opponent and performance for an admittedly rusty O’Sullivan, who sported a bizarre pair of running tights for the bout.

Spike now moves to 23(15)-2(1) with the comeback win and will now look to get back into bigger fights as well as continuing his chase for a clash with Olympic bronze medalist Anthony Ogogo. Barboza drops to 19(8)-9(2) with the loss.