‘Long’ wait over for Spike
27 April 2011 – Jonny Stapleton
One of Irish Boxings forgotten men Gary Spike OSullivan is planning to put in a performance that will live long in the memory of Irish fight fans when he makes a return to action this summer.
OSullivan has been missing in action for almost a year, but will end his fight sabbatical in the National Stadium on June 4 when he defends his Irish middleweight title against Tallaghts Robbie King Long. And the Pascal Collins trained fighter claims just like in last weeks National League Gaelic Football decider, Cork will overcome a Dublin challenge on the Paddy Hyland promoted show.
The Frank Warren promoted middleweight is chomping at the bit and can not wait to get back to work. Indeed Sullivan has stressed he has been a like a child on Christmas Eve since he heard the news, but added excitement rather than fear of old sparring partner Long has given him sleepless nights.
I am absolutely delighted to be getting back in the ring, OSullivan told www.irish-boxing.com.
It has been a very long wait for me and I cant wait to get back in the ring and show people what I can do. The plan is to win and keep the title. It will be like last Saturday with the Rebels beating the Dubs. I feel like a Lion inside a pigeon box or a kid on Christmas Eve I just want to be let loose. I have been frustrated over the year and I cant wait for the fight.
Long and OSullivan have traded blows before, but only in sparring. The Cork based middleweight claims the Golden Cobra pugilist only witnessed a restrained OSullivan then and should prepare to see the real Irish champion up close and personal come June.
The prospect, who is much fancied in some quarters, also dismissed ring rust as an issue and claims his recently stagnated career will take off under the guidance of Warren over the next 12 months.
Robbie and I get on. I sparred him as he prepared for Anto Fitzgerald, but he didnt see the real me then. He will see what I am really capable of when we fight. Sparring and fighting are different ball games altogether. Ring rust wont be a problem. I have kept training even when I wasnt fighting and I have always had good sparring, he added before discussing his contract with British promoter Frank Warren.
I am signed with Frank and he has big things planned for me. He had to sanction this fight and he is happy to see me get back in the ring. There are big things in the pipeline for me and I hope like my stable mate Stephen Ormond to be fighting on big cards in England soon.
