Irish professional boxer Gary ’Spike” O’Sullivan returns to Massachusetts this May to fight Dominican Republic's Melvin Betancourt in the North American Middleweight Championship.
The Cork native (20 - 1) will be fighting on the undercard of the super middleweight showdown between British gold medalist, James DeGale, and Andre Dirrell, an American Olympic bronze medalist at the Agganis Arena, Boston University on May 23.
The fighting pride of Ireland, O’Sullivan signed earlier this year to Murphy's Boxing USA, a boxing promotions group co-founded by Ken Casey, of Dropkick Murphy’s. It wasn’t long before the Irish boxer landed in Massachusetts to prepare for his first fight. O'Sullivan said “Working with Ken Casey is the best. He is a great guy."
O’Sullivan fought both in Boston and New York during the months of February and March before returning home to Ireland victorious. Since then, the middleweight fighter has been training at the elite Celtic Warrior gym in Dublin under the guidance of his manager and long time friend, Paschal Collins.
He said “My training regime at in Ireland is one that suits me a little better ...as I'm so used to the routine.”
Adding, “ I get to train with Paschal Collins who has trained me for my entire pro career.”
A father of three, the Cork athlete also admits, "I get to see my family at the weekend which gives me a lift rather than been away for weeks on end”
O’Sullivan’s last fight in America was against Colombian brawler Milton Nunez at the world famous Madison Square Garden arena in New York. He said of the experience “Fighting at the Madison Square Garden was a dream come through for me.”
The Irishman is now moving forward in the hope of realizing his biggest dream, a world title fight. He said, “I want to be the Middleweight champion of the world.”
Causing a stir in the middleweight division on both sides of the Atlantic, O’Sullivan, is on the right track however, first things first, he has to win on May 23 against Dominican Republic's Melvin Betancourt
(29-1).
As fight night approaches, O’Sullivan is confident but cautious, he said, “Betancourt has only lost 1 and won 29. He has 23 KO wins. I'm confident that I will win by out boxing him.”
Adding, “My biggest concern would be that he obviously has a lot of power and is very capable of a knock out. I have to be careful not to get caught cleanly with a big power shot.”
O’Sullivan who is known for his own aggressive fighting style is ready, saying “I will be looking to catch him and knock him out.”
The fight aside, O’Sullivan, is looking forward to returning to Boston, a city he describes as “home away from home.”
He remarked, “I have got really good friends there and I can’t wait to see them as well as the Murphy’s Boxing USA crew."
Adding, “ The Irish and the Irish-American fans are absolutely awesome. I can’t wait to get in the ring and put on a show for them.”
Tickets are available for the fight at www.murphysboxing.com or call Mark 617 719 6729.
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