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Opponent confirmed for Spike O’Sullivan Boston bout

Spike O’Sullivan [23(15)-2(1)] makes his return to the ring in less than three weeks time.

The Cork middleweight is back in action in Boston, and will be looking to kick-start his level of activity following a frustrating past year.

O’Sullivan endured a difficult 2016, spending the early part of the year recovering from a perforated eardrum suffered in his loss to Chris Eubank Jr. The Leesider would then undertake a new campaign to secure a fight with Olympic bronze medalist Anthony Ogogo.

His sole fight of 2016, an under-rated points victory over Jaime Barboza, took place in September to eliminate the argument posed by Ogogo and his promoters the Sauerland Brothers that he needed another win on his record.

With the win in the bag, O’Sullivan travelled to Birmingham in October with the intentions of calling out Ogogo following the Norwich boxer’s bout with Craig Cunningham, a bit of theatre which was endorsed by Sky Sports. However, Ogogo would shockingly lose to the unheralded Cunningham, scuppering a potential fight with the Irishman.

With this disappointment now in the past, O’Sullivan returns on Saturday March 18th at the House of Blues in Boston on a Murphys Boxing card. His opponent here will be Colombian Ronald Montes [17(15)-5(4)], who he will face over eight rounds in the co-headline bout.

The 30 year old has a fearsome reputation in South America, where he won the Colombian welterweight title back in 2012. However, he has been outclassed every time he has strayed north of the Equator, including stoppage losses to world title challenger Wilky Campfort and contender Hugo Centeno Jr.

While O’Sullivan will have to be wary of the power of Montes, the fight looks to be little more than an opportunity to shake of the ring rust and score a quick knockout win ahead of bigger fights later in the year.

There is huge Irish interest on the St Patrick’s Weekend card, with Niall Kennedy challenging for the Massachusetts State heavyweight title against Jesse Barboza, Michael McLaughlin Owen and Danny O’Connor doing battle for the New England and Celtic Nations welterweight belts, and further appearances for Ray Moylette, and Paddy Irwin.

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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