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Spike O’Sullivan hoping for Hogan triumph as Munguia middleweight move looms


Spike O’Sullivan [30(21)-3(2)] didn’t make it out to Mexico but believes a world title fight with Dennis Hogan [28(7)-1(0)-1] is more than a possibility.

Brisbane-based Kildare man Hogan challenges Jaime Munguia for the WBO light middleweight title in Mexico tonight and an Irish victory could very well set up a first ever all Irish world title fight.

‘The Hurricane’ has long-stated that it is his vision to win the belt and make his first defence at the 3Arena in Dublin – and both he and his manager Paul Keegan recently suggested Spike O’Sullivan as the perfect opponent for such a dream fight.

READ: Team Hogan plotting O’Sullivan World Title defence

Cork’s O’Sullivan has moved down to the weight and registered two wins at 154lbs first against Gabor Gorbics in Castlebar last December before a destructive win over Khiary Gray last month – where he came inside the championship weight.

Indeed, following that Boston win, O’Sullivan stated his intention to attend tonight’s Monterrey-hosted world title fight so he could call out the winner.

However, rumour has it that Golden Boy – who work alongside Murphys Boxing in promoting Spike as well as co-promoting massive Mexican Munguia with Zanfer – didn’t see any reason for the Cork man to make the trip.

The suggestion is they are confident of a home win and will move the reigning champion will to middleweight after tonight and in that regard, have no vested interested in trying to hype any possible Cork v Tijuana battle.

However, if ‘The Hurricane’ wins, DDP Promotions will instantly set about trying to secure the Paschal Collins-trained fighter for a 3Arena defence.

It’s something the Mahon man welcomes.

O’Sullivan noted how “the majority of boxers are nice. Dennis, I’ve sparred him before, his team are all nice fellas and, of course, it would be respectful [if they were to fight].”

“It would be fantastic to fight Dennis for the world title, the first time in history two Irishmen fight for a world title.”

Indeed, the Leesider has fond memories of Hogan – who visited the Celtic Warriors Gym back in 2015 ahead of his fight in Germany with Jack Culcay.

The 34-year-old’s WBA ‘interim’ title clash with Culcay, which was postponed to the lilywhite’s detriment from September to December, saw him spar O’Sullivan ahead of the initial date.

O’Sullivan recalls the sparring well and described how “I was at middleweight then, I was bigger than him, and Dennis had a pretty big fight in Germany coming up. He was close to weight, a lot lighter than me at the time.”

“It’s hard to read into sparring, anyway, I think we were both sort of just going through the motions,” he added before clarifying that this holding back was not a tactical move.

“I never could see this fight coming, I never thought I could fight Dennis, so there was none of that, really, I was just giving him a hand preparing for his fight.”

Kildare boxing is proudly supported by Liffey Crane Hire

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Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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