Gary Cully slams Irish rivals – SIX boxers turned down TV title fight

Gary Cully [5(2)-0] is disgusted with his domestic rivals.

The Kildare lightweight was keen to face another Irish fighter for the eight-round BUI Celtic title on the big Belfast BoxNation bill on Friday October 5th but has found a lack of willing challengers.

Cully claims six Irish fighters were offered the chance to face him on the card but none of these, or at least the teams that make their decisions, were willing to step in the ring with the long Naas southpaw.

On social media, the Pete Taylor-trained puncher has named Paul Hyland Jr, Niall O’Connor, Victor Rabei, and Aiden Metcalfe as four of these six fighters – and has been involved in some back-and-forths with Metcalfe since.

In their respective defences, Metcalfe and O’Connor intend to operate at the weight below Cully, Rabei is said to need surgery, and Hyland is currently looking to reposition himself for a second British title shot.

The identities of the other two fighters are not known.

While he could conceivable face an eligible opponent from Britain, France, Portugal, or Spain, for the BUI Celtic belt, Cully instead looks set for a step up to six rounds and a TV debut.

The European Youth gold medallist described how “we wanted to fight for the Celtic or Irish title and offered it to six different fighters. None of them wanted it but at least I’m fighting live on TV and stepping up to six rounds.”

“Every lightweight in Ireland is running scared of me. We offered it to super featherweights, lightweights and super lightweights and everybody turned it down.”

“I don’t blame them. I’m tall and I hit like a middleweight so if I was them then I’d probably turn down this fight too. Their managers are doing a good job because they know what would happen.”

“It looks like I’ll have to skip Irish level and fight for a European title.

Cully needs to have had eight fights before being eligible for consideration for the European title. The belt is currently vacant and will be contested on October 13th in Newcastle by Matchroom starlet Lewis Ritson and Belgian former champ Franceso Patera.

The lilywhite, however, is just focused on getting a win on the board in what will be his sixth of six fights in the Titanic City.

“I’m delighted to be on this show,” he said. “Belfast is becoming a second home to me because I’ve had all my professional fights up there.”

“Belfast has become one of the biggest boxing cities in Europe. Carl Frampton has built some massive momentum there as everyone can see from the recent Windsor Park show. It’s a huge city for boxing.”

Kildare Boxing is proudly supported by Liffey Crane Hire

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