Fitzpatrick: Saunders would be a tougher test for O’Kane than ‘Spike’

EAMONN O’Kane is in talks with both Billy Joe Saunders and Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan about potential middleweight dust ups, says coach Paddy Fitzpatrick.

The Derry man has been linked with both the English puncher and the Cork man in recent weeks and Fitzpatrick says contact has been made with both camps.

‘Spike’ is hoping for a big August 29 homecoming and seems open to a clash with his former sparring partner, although he has two ‘bigger’ options in the pipeline.

Whilst Saunders is looking for a Summer fight before he evokes his WBO mandatory status and challenges Andy Lee for the title- and Fitzpatrick, who trains George Groves and Irish title hopefuls Garvin Kelly and Luke Watkins, says he has discussed that match up with Frank Warren.

“There have been talks with Spike and his people and that would be a huge fight for Ireland,” Fitzpatrick told the Swindon advertiser.

“Spike and Eamonn are both open to having the fight and they have been talking on Twitter.

“We have also been speaking to Frank Warren about a fight with Billy-Joe. Billy-Joe is the number one for Andy Lee’s (WBO) title and that is a good position to be in.

“This is the tougher option for Eamonn, and that is no disrespect to Spike, both are tough fights for Eamonn, we will just see what develops.”