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Gary Cully calls for fight with Robbie Barrett following statement win in Belfast


Gary Cully [6(3)-0] had a step up on Friday night and is keen to make a leap up soon.

The Naas lightweight scored a stunning third-round stoppage of the game Jordan Ellison at the Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast and already has his eye on some big domestic names.

Following a statement performance, Cully has set his sights on recent British champion Robbie Barrett [17(1)-3(1)-1] and the 22-year-old prospect wants to face the Barnsley boxer inside the next six months.

Cully made the call-out in the aftermath of a win which has certainly gotten people taking and the Sarto southpaw believes he has put the domestic scene on notice with his demolition of the tough Wearsider.

The youngster explained how “I picked him myself because we’ve fought five four-rounders and I wanted to step up to six rounds and I wanted a tough guy that would take me the rounds so I would get the experience.”

“We got in and landed big shots and he was taken out of there.”

“He’s a tough, tough guy, not many people do that to him and I hope I sent a message out there.”

Ellison – who has previously fought the likes of Lewis Ritson, Jono Carroll, and David Oliver Joyce among many others – afterwards labelled Cully the best he had ever shared the ring with.

The European Youth gold medallist is eager to continue facing fighters that come to the ring with ambition and noted how “with these guys, who come to fight, Jordan Ellison is a tough guy who comes to win every fight, he’s leaving openings, coming at me throwing and leaving the openings to get clipped.”

“Whereas, if I’m fighting journeymen who are shying away, it’s hard to knock them out.”

Cully had wanted an Irish opponent and a BUI Celtic title fight but saw numerous offers made by his team rejected. A match-up for the belt versus undefeated Welsh prospect Lance Cooksey was then lined up but that too fell through.

The long lilywhite is now hopeful of a clash with Barrett, who defeated Matty Fagan to win the IBF European rankings belt on Friday night, in the near future.

Cully outlined how “I’d love to fight an eight-rounder before the end of the year and have that early next year. Ideally, that is my plan.”

“I want to move on to bigger and better things now.”

“At the end of the day, if fighters won’t fight you these big fights can’t be made.”

“I know where I want to be and that’s why I’m being outspoken and calling these guys out because I know where I want to be and I know what my talent is.”

26-year-old southpaw Barrett has come up through the small hall scene, winning Central Area and English titles before upsetting Scott Cardle to win the British belt live on Sky Sports. In his first defence he was stopped in seven rounds by Ritson – who fights for the European title this coming Saturday night in Newcastle.

In his comeback fight after the Ritson defeat, Barrett actually faced Ellison and won a competitive eight rounder on a score of 78-74.

Kildare boxing is proudly supported by Liffey Crane Hire

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

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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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