It was once again guts galore but not glory for an Irish puncher in recent big fight action.

Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan went to war with Chris Eubank Jr on the Bad Intentions card in London on Saturday night, but came out second best being pulled out by his corner in round seven.

Chris Eubank Jr produced the best display of his career to settle the grudge match in his favour, but Cork middleweight ‘Spike’ certainly tested him in a manner none of his previous opponents had. Billy Joe Saunders may have beat and out boxed the Matchroom puncher, but O’Sullivan tested Eubank Jr’s chin.

O’Sullivan forced a high work rate out of his foe early doors and showed resolve to survive some upper cut peppered barrages in the second round. However, he wobbled the English fighters legs with a number of left hooks in the early rounds much to the delight of the Irish in the sold out venue.

As the fight wore it seemed as if ‘Spike’ was being economical in bid to tire out his opponent and use his power in the latter rounds, but Eubank Jr’s began to work the body and the snap seemed to drain from the Cork power punchers shots.

The writing was spray painted on the wall midway through the fifth, a round in which Eubank impressed in, when under pressure O’Sullivan sat down on a right hand and caught the Adam Booth trainer flush with a shot that would have knocked most out clean, only for Eubank Jr to keep punching.

It was a Hail Mary prayer that wasn’t answered! To his credit ‘Spike’ continued to push, but Eubank Jr was dominating and the Cork man didn’t seem to be carrying the concussive power he is noted for.

As a result Pascal Collins took the decision to pull him out meaning Eubank Jr becomes the next in line for WBA middleweight World champion Danny Jacobs.