Wins for Spike/Gavin
22 May 2011 – Jonny Stapleton
A rib cracking Garly Spike OSullivan body shot ensured the Cork natives Frank Warren debut finished in the same block buster fashion as his Hollywood entourages films.
Wrestler star and former pro boxer, Mickey Rourke watched on as the Irish middleweight starred in the ring, stopping the beatable, but very durable Ryan Clarke on the under card of George Groves defeat of James Degale. It was more film short than epic as the Pascal Collins trained fighter ended the bout inside the first round with a solid hook to the body. OSullivan was fully expected to beat the English journey man, but received plaudits for the manner in which he achieved the victory.
Clarke, who fought recent Irish title challenger Lee Murtagh last time out, has only one win on his record but has only been stopped once in over 30 fights. OSullivan, who has endured a frustrating boxing sabbatical over the last 12 months, now has his sights set on an Irish title defence against Robbie Long before attempting to further fulfill his potential on bumper Warren cards.
Irish welterweight champion Frankie Gavin also registered an win on the London card taming Young Mutley to claim the vacant WBO Inter-Continental welterweight crown, albeit in less dramatic fashion. Fun Time Frankie, battled illness and an experience former British title and despite failing to shine pushed maintained his unbeaten record in a tepid affair.
I’m far from happy. No excuses, but I was close to pulling out last week. I was out of the gym for two days. I didn’t want to let anybody down. I was ill last week and it definitely took something out of me. I didn’t feel strong like I did in my last fight,” Gavin explained after the fight.
Elsewhere Dublins New York based heavyweight Thomas Hardwicks pro debut lasted just three rounds as he blasted his way to victory in the famous Rose Land Ballroom over the weekend. The only Irish native to win the prestigious American Golden Gloves tournament stopped made a mole hill out of man mountain Derek Walker to impress the large Irish contingent.
