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“You’ve seen nothing from me yet!” – Gary Cully pleased with praise – but not surprised


Gary Cully [3(2)-0] is coming home following a fantastic start to his pro career.

Following a debut blow-out, Cully scored two wins over well-matched opponents in the opening bouts of big arena bills.

All three of these fights came in Belfast, but now the Naas lightweight is set to take a step-up much closer to home. Indeed, short of Goffs Arena, you could not get much closer to home for Cully than the Citywest Hotel in neighbouring Saggart.

The Kildare southpaw will move up to six rounds here on Saturday February 3rd on the SK Promotions ‘Collision Course’ card, and he can not wait.

“Citywest is only 10 minutes from where I live which is ideal!” an excited Cully told Irish-Boxing.com

“I’ve been dying to fight in Dublin ever since I turned over last year. Like I always say I love to entertain and a lot of people from back home have been looking to see me fight, but it’s obviously hard getting to the Belfast shows, so I’m out to impress again as a lot of people down here haven’t seen me fight yet.

“I’ve got the best support in the world and the crowd that’s been coming up to Belfast last year have been making a lot of noise , but with the three wins under my belt now and this fight being so close to home the support is going to be crazy, I can’t wait!”

“The small halls are great for atmosphere, I started my career on a small hall and it was an unbelievable atmosphere, then obviously had the two big cards so they were a bit different, but the small halls are vital for learning fights and building experience so I’m buzzing to fight and hear all the lads raise the roof again!”

While his next fight will be small hall in venue, the European Youth gold medalist has top-level ambitions. Earmarked as a top prospect, a future world champion, and one of the few Irish listed as ‘one to watch’ by Boxing News, there certainly is a bit of a clamour around the three-fight novice.

Of the almost 40 pro debutants last year, Cully stood out and was acclaimed more than most. 22 next week, he’s taking the acknowledgement in his stride – indeed, he admits that “to be honest it’s no surprised.”

“I’ve always believed in myself and I know of the potential I have, just more and more people are starting to see it now.”

“But I’ve also said I’m in the early stages, I’m only getting started and still learning, my last performance I’d rate about 3/10 compared to what I can do, you’ve seen nothing from me yet!”

“I believe and always have believed I’ll be a world champion one day so it’s not surprising to hear that, although I’m glad people are starting to notice me.”

A first six-rounder for the lilywhite, Cully wants a challenge in just over two weeks time. His opponent is yet to be announced but the youngster is hoping for “someone durable, someone who can take a shot – although I don’t reckon there’s many out there that can take my shots.”

“But yeah – just someone who will come to fight and give me a test, not just coming to survive. Maybe someone who’s been in with one or two Irish lads so we can gauge off how they did.”

Cully had three fights in nine weeks at the tail-end of last year and wants to be threatening the 10-0 mark by the end of this year.

Looking ahead to 2018, the Pete Taylor-trained MTK-managed fighter outlined how “the goal for this year is six fights and a title by the end of the year. I just want to be as busy as possible and learn as much as I can this year, and gain valuable experience.”

“Although I believe in ready for big fights and am a level above most lightweights here, I’m still in the early stages of my career and still in the building process.”

“I’ve got a lot to learn and improve on and come three, four years time be up there fighting for world titles.”

Kildare Boxing is proudly supported by Liffey Crane Hire

Tickets for Collision Course cost €35 (general) and €55 (ringside) and are available from the boxers on the bill – Cully, Sean Creagh, Stevie Collins Jr, Davey Oliver Joyce, Liam Gaynor, and Eoin McGrath

Photo Credits: Chris Scott and Ricardo Guglielminotti

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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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