“I’m the hardest-hitting lightweight out there” – Gary Cully promising power following debut KO

Gary Cully made a sensational debut on Saturday night and promised that there will be more of the same in the coming months and years.

The rangey lightweight might not immediately strike you as a power puncher – until he actually strikes you.

Cully knocked out Gyula Tallosi after just 42 seconds, becoming the first ever fighter to stop the rugged Hungarian in the opening round.

The demolition job took place on the Ginley Promotions ‘Danger at The Devenish’ card in Belfast, and it was pretty much a perfect debut for Cully.

Afterwards the Naas youngster told Irish-Boxing.com that “I knew that he was weak to the body but I didn’t think it would be over that quick!”

“I’ve seen him go the distance with a couple of lads, a couple of Irish lads as well, good lads, Joe Fitzpatrick went the distance with him so I thought he was going to be tough.”

“Pete [Taylor, coach] said go in the first round on my jab, see what happens, if he comes in, and don’t be smothering my work, hit him with backhands. The first jab I hit him, he was hurt – and when he backed into a corner he was open for the left hand to the body and he just didn’t want to know then.”

21 year old Cully believes he will become known as a puncher in the pros. The 6’2″ southpaw noted that “a lot of lads see my height on the scales, a skinny chap, and they think ‘work the body with this guy, he’s weak’ – but I believe I’m the hardest-hitting lightweight out there.”

“I knew I could punch, and I’ve been working on strength with Pete since I turned over. Obviously the amateurs are a bit more tippy-tappy, point-scoring, whereas the pros are more physical and me and Pete have been working on that.”

“If an opening comes and I hit these boys, they’re going to go – and that goes for anyone, top-level lads as well. You don’t get paid overtime in this game and if they drop, they drop.”

“No-one hits harder, especially in these eight-ounce gloves with no headguard – if I hit any lightweight they’re not going to stand up to me.”

In what is music to any promoter’s ears, Cully is not only a massive puncher, and comes with a massive support too. On Saturday the Devenish was packed out by the closely-knit Sarto estate, who remained at the venue from first bell till last – even joining in with some of the Upton Clan’s famous chants.

“They saved the show, didn’t they? They were class,” said Cully afterwards.”

“From the moment I said I was going pro, the estate, my family, my friends, everyone, they were all on board. They were more excited today than I was!”

“They were more nervous too, I was chilled out in the restaurant and they were all nervous, I had to tell them ‘lads, I’ve done this a hundred times!'”

The MTK boxer is keen to build experience quickly, as he feels that he is an elite-level fighter.

It’s only a matter of time for Cully who stated that “I’ve no fear of anyone. I believe that I’m a high-level professional already and I’ve only had one fight. I believe I’m up there with the guys fighting for titles.”

“Obviously, I haven’t got the experience and I’m only building into lightweight [Cully boxed at 132lbs in the amateurs and will campaign at 135lbs in the pros], and I’ll have to build the rounds up.”

“But I believe my skills are up there with the guys who have titles. Once I get that experience and start getting rounds I want to move on and get titles.”

Kildare Boxing is proudly supported by Liffey Crane Hire.

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