Gary "Spike" O'Sullivan: his current abilities & career status?

[JohnReed]

Greetings Irish, Scottish and English boxing fans and insiders. I'm American, and I'm interested in getting the scoop on Gary "Spike" O'Sullivan, the Irish junior middleweight. I'm watching Spike's films now, and of course, I'm familiar with his lengthy pro record. However, I'd like to get your feedback about Spike. He's 35 now, and he's "been around the block," so to speak. What are his potentialities and limitations at this point in time?

What does O'Sullivan have left in his gas tank, at this point? Do you think he's still a physically fresh fighter, and is his ambition still intact? Does O'Sullivan have the goods to beat any world-rated jr middles, or at the very least, to give a top guy one hell of a fight?

What do you think O'Sullivan's assets and liabilities are, as an athlete and a fighter?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

[margaret thatcher]

He was a fringe contender at best, will never beat a top guy

[Coco]

Had some big nights and big fights, hopefully he has saved his purses, 35 is a good age to retire

[ShadrachSimmo]

His record is seriously padded. His best wins are vs guys who were British/Euro level. He’s been well beaten every time he’s stepped up. He could realistically contend and maybe win a European title.

[JohnReed]

Interesting replies. As for me, I just got finished watching his effort against Eubank Jr. To be honest, I was somewhat impressed with O'Sullivan's performance. Sure, he got clobbered. But O'Sullivan did fight back tenaciously for a while, and he hurt Eubank a few times. O'Sullivan also showed a measure of tactical skill and durability. I liked the way he threw his left hook: he was gunning for the rafters.

But O'Sullivan may have slowed down a lot since 2012. I don't know.

Curiously, what do you guys think of O'Sullivan's punching power? The announcer of the Eubank fight regarded O'Sullivan as a heavy banger. I don't know if I agree with that. Maybe it's best to say that O'Sullivan's power is above average? Let me know what you think.

[margaret thatcher]

He's heavy handed. I think he rocked Eubank and don't believe anyone else has done that. Overall a pretty slow and limited fighter though, and not power of the Lemieux level to operate at a higher level despite the limitations.

[chrisnew86]

Interesting replies. As for me, I just got finished watching his effort against Eubank Jr. To be honest, I was somewhat impressed with O'Sullivan's performance. Sure, he got clobbered. But O'Sullivan did fight back tenaciously for a while, and he hurt Eubank a few times. O'Sullivan also showed a measure of tactical skill and durability. I liked the way he threw his left hook: he was gunning for the rafters.

But O'Sullivan may have slowed down a lot since 2012. I don't know.

Curiously, what do you guys think of O'Sullivan's punching power? The announcer of the Eubank fight regarded O'Sullivan as a heavy banger. I don't know if I agree with that. Maybe it's best to say that O'Sullivan's power is above average? Let me know what you think.

He can bang and has balls.

It’s hard to say his power is above average as like others have said , he doesn’t have any big scalps on his record .

P.s. met him on a few occasions, lovely fella

[chinarich]

I think he’s around British level, personally, he can be in some fun scraps but there’s no way he’s picking up a world title. Maybe he could get a European strap as someone else said....

[TheLeprechaun]

British level. Watch his lemieux fight

[JohnReed]

British level. Watch his lemieux fight

Well, it definitely looks as if O'Sullivan can't fight at 160 lbs. At least not on the world level. All three of his losses have occurred in that division, as opposed to jr. middleweight. Spike simply didn't have the size of strength to hang in there with Lemieux, IMO.

But maybe O'Sullivan could surprise people at 154 lbs? I don't know.

[TheLeprechaun]

British level. Watch his lemieux fight

Well, it definitely looks as if O'Sullivan can't fight at 160 lbs. At least not on the world level. All three of his losses have occurred in that division, as opposed to jr. middleweight. Spike simply didn't have the size of strength to hang in there with Lemieux, IMO.

But maybe O'Sullivan could surprise people at 154 lbs? I don't know.

There are some limited fighters at British level like Fowler. I think Liam Williams or Liam Smith would be too much. The Lemieux loss was bad for his career because the top fighters don't really want to touch him now because they won't be able to do a better job on him. I could have seen him being used as fodder for a Hurd comeback or a Munguia defence but he lost a lot of stock value in the Lemieux fight. I think maybe Brandon Rios could be a decent fight. Rios would fancy it and see him as another John Murray. Rios is shot too

[MightyWarrior]

Definitely a big puncher, he hurt the rock chinned Eubank and look at the way he put Fitzgeralds lights out.
Good chin himself too, but not good enough to take the TNT Lemieux punch.

Not sure that might of finished him or not

[ShadrachSimmo]

Well, it definitely looks as if O'Sullivan can't fight at 160 lbs. At least not on the world level. All three of his losses have occurred in that division, as opposed to jr. middleweight. Spike simply didn't have the size of strength to hang in there with Lemieux, IMO.

But maybe O'Sullivan could surprise people at 154 lbs? I don't know.

There are some limited fighters at British level like Fowler. I think Liam Williams or Liam Smith would be too much. The Lemieux loss was bad for his career because the top fighters don't really want to touch him now because they won't be able to do a better job on him. I could have seen him being used as fodder for a Hurd comeback or a Munguia defence but he lost a lot of stock value in the Lemieux fight. I think maybe Brandon Rios could be a decent fight. Rios would fancy it and see him as another John Murray. Rios is shot too

Can’t believe Rios lost to Soto who must be about 75 these days ...

[KiwiRider]

I think he’s around British level, personally, he can be in some fun scraps but there’s no way he’s picking up a world title. Maybe he could get a European strap as someone else said....

Yep, I think that's about right.
He has slowed a little, I would also agree 35 is a good time to hang 'em up.
One thing I must say, there haa never been an unentertaining fight with Spike in it that I've seen. Even when he is losing, he gives it everything and I respect that.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Gary 'Spike' O’Sullivan’s bout against Diego Adrian Marocchi in Boston has been cancelled after the Cork boxer’s US visa application was not processed in time.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/boxing/2019/08 ... isa-delay/

[JohnReed]

Gary 'Spike' O’Sullivan’s bout against Diego Adrian Marocchi in Boston has been cancelled after the Cork boxer’s US visa application was not processed in time.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/boxing/2019/08 ... isa-delay/

I find it bizarre that someone like O'Sullivan would suddenly have visa problems. After all, he's a citizen of a US-friendly country and he's been performing in America for many years. It makes no sense that O'Sullivan would suddenly have difficulty entering the US now.

I'm sure there's more to the story than we've been told. Maybe O'Sullivan's people want to keep him fresh for a bigger fight that's in the works?

[JohnReed]

Gary 'Spike' O’Sullivan’s bout against Diego Adrian Marocchi in Boston has been cancelled after the Cork boxer’s US visa application was not processed in time.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/boxing/2019/08 ... isa-delay/

I find it bizarre that someone like O'Sullivan would suddenly have visa problems. After all, he's a citizen of a US-friendly country and he's been performing in America for many years.

I'm sure there's more to the story than we've been told. Maybe O'Sullivan's people want to keep him fresh for a bigger fight that's in the works?

[samwbr]

Who are you trying to get him in the ring with?

[JohnReed]

Who are you trying to get him in the ring with?

Check out the news article link in Ruthless's post. There's information to the effect that Golden Boy might do something with O'Sullivan.

[margaret thatcher]

Spike vs Taureano Johnson might be a good fight, Johnson just beat Oirish Golden Boy fighter Jaz Quig of course.