Headline News

Spike O’Sullivan – “I was just warming up!”

Cork middleweight Spike O’Sullivan [24(16)-2(1)] gave another example of his freakish power on Saturday.

The Leesider forced Ronald Montes into a third round retirement at the House of Blues on the Murphys Boxing ‘St Patrick’s Clash 2’ card.

The Colombian quit on his stool before the start of the fourth stanza, and was in considerable discomfort from a seemingly innocuous bodyshot from O’Sullivan.

It was 32 year old O’Sullivan’s first fight since December and, in truth, the big puncher was slightly disappointed afterwards.

The Celtic Warriors Gym fighter told Irish-Boxing.com that “it was grand, I was just warming up to be honest. It was my first time in the ring for six months so I’m a bit disappointed. I’m glad to just get back in the ring. I was biding my time, I thought I was going to take him apart.”

While it may not have matched it in terms of profile or aesthetics, the finish held some parallels to O’Sullivan’s most famous inside-the-distance win. The Munsterman became one of the biggest names in Irish boxing back in November 2014 with a first round uppercut stoppage of Anthony Fitzgerald at the 3Arena.

O’Sullivan explained that “I’ve always punched but I’m doing a bit of work with David O’Connell, who does strength and conditioning at UCC. The only time I’d used him [before] was for the Fitzgerald fight, I worked with him for six weeks. It’s definitely benefiting me.”

“I think he [Montes] is after breaking his rib, and I don’t even think I landed very well to be honest. I’m surprised I broke his ribs.”

The comeback bout out of the way, the Mahon boxer wants to be progressed quickly – and, of course, there is one particular name he has in mind.

“I’m always ready to kick on,” stressed O’Sullivan. “I’d fight anybody, I’d take on anybody, it doesn’t bother me.”

“He’s making a comeback and there’s been a bit of turbulence on Twitter. I’m very open to that fight. I think he only has two options if he’s going to make a comeback – either me or Craig Cunningham, and I think Cunningham has moved down.”

“His only option, if he wants to gain any respect from the boxing public, is to fight me”

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

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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