Spike O’Sullivan hoping to join Thomond showdown

Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan is hoping to fly the Cork flag high above Thomond Park on September 19 and secure a world title shot against the winner of the main event in the process.

Andy Lee will defend his WBO middleweight title against Billy Joe Saunders in what has been billed as ‘The Showdown’, in the former’s home town of Limerick.

But there is another popular, big-punching Munster man campaigning in the 160lb division and he is hoping for the chance to showcase his talent in September’s outdoor showpiece, which is expected to attract a crowd of 33,000.

O’Sullivan has been busy on the other side of the Atlantic since signing a deal with Murphy’s Boxing, fronted by Ken Casey of Dropkick Murphy’s fame, in January.

He has racked up three quick stoppage wins on America’s east coast since but wants his next outing to come somewhat closer to home.

It would mean turning his back on a possible New York clash with undefeated star Peter ‘Kid Chocolate’ Quillin, who drew with Lee in April, but Spike is desperate to be part of history in Limerick.

“I think there are talks that I’ll be on the undercard,” he told the Irish Examiner. “As it stands, that’s the strongest possibility.

“There are other talks — like fighting Kid Chocolate in New York — and a few other things going on.

“But most likely is the Limerick fight.

“My promoter Ken Casey can get me fights in America but I’d like to be on that card. It’s a historic night, only the third outdoor show ever in Ireland. The first one was Muhammad Ali, the second one was Steve Collins and that plonker Chris Eubank. This will only be the third so it would be nice to be part of that. There would be a lot of Cork fans who would want to come.”

Furthermore, O’Sullivan knows a big performance would push him closer to a shot at whoever ends the night with the WBO belt strapped around their waist.

He added: “I’d have my eye on either man, I’d love to fight the winner. Billy Joe Saunders is the only person to defeat me so it would be killing two birds with one stone if I got to fight him — avenge my only loss and win a world title. But if it was Andy Lee it would be the first time in history two Irishmen have fought for a world title so that would be big as well.

“I’d love either fight.”

There are expected to be up to eight bouts on the undercard of ‘The Showdown’, with co-promoters Adam Booth and Frank Warren each choosing which of their fighters will feature.