John Riordan: Packie and Spike aim to make history in Brooklyn

 It was never the original goal for Gary 'Spike' O'Sullivan and his manager Packie Collins to fight 36 professional fights and earn a world title shot but later this month they will have achieved that — and maybe more

Journey of a lifetime: On a brutally cold and rainy January night in 2008, Gary 'Spike' O'Sullivan and trainer Packie Collins launched their unlikely relationship in Neptune Stadium, Cork.

There’s an ocean and a little more between Neptune Stadium and the home of the Brooklyn Nets but Packie Collins’ managerial career will bridge that gap later this month.

The Barclays Center is undeniably more glamourous and the rooftop rusting is more intentional by design but at least in Neptune they care more about basketball than being seen on the big screen.