Collins predicts great future for ‘impressive’ O’Sullivan

PASCHAL COLLINS predicts a big future for Corkman Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan ahead of his pro debut, the undercard to the Billy Walsh/James Gorman Irish welterweight title fight at Neptune Stadium tomorrow night.

Collins will be stepping into new territory when he promotes the card in Cork, but all the indications are that this is going to be a sell-out.

“I am not in this game to make money — I am in it to make champions,” the Dubliner insisted. “But this is a fight I felt I just had to promote.”

Collins has an affection for Cork — he made his own professional debut on the undercard to his brother Steven’s demolition of Chris Eubank on what was one of the most memorable nights in Irish boxing at the Green Glens Arena. But he cut off his career in midstream when Kevin McBride contacted him, told him he wanted to fight Mike Tyson, wanted Collins to train him and the rest is history.

He has never seen ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan throw a punch in anger but what he has seen of the Mahon man in recent weeks has impressed him greatly.

“It’s true, I hadn’t seen much of Spike, we just communicated by phone,” he said. “The last time I was in Cork he was training for the senior championships and he sparred four rounds with Billy Walsh. I must admit I was impressed — he has so much raw talent, he hits hard and he can take some punishment too because sparring with Billy you need to have a good threshold for pain.

“But the one thing that impressed me most — which may sound a little weird — is every time they were in a clinch and were told to break Spike would throw sneaky punches. Now, don’t get me wrong, because I don’t condone hitting on the break, but what it showed me was that he has a willingness to inflict pain and in this business that’s one trait you need.”

Collins has big plans for his new signing, including a fight in Boston on St. Patrick’s weekend, and he intends to keep him busy over there.

O’Sullivan wants to claim some of the limelight from Billy Walsh at Neptune Stadium and he has an amateur win over well known Belfast welterweight Stephen Haughian on his CV to highlight his claim.

“I have been working very hard in the gym and I am looking forward to making a career for myself in the paid ranks,” he said.

Under the Celtic Pride Boxing banner of Packie Collins and Mark Porter he will have an ideal opportunity to progress his career. He will be trained by Collins who has been based in the USA for the past 14 years.

“I do my coaching out of the famous Petronelli gym in Brockton, Massachusetts, home of the great Rocky Marciano,” Collins said.

“I work alongside Goody (Petronelli) who trained some great fighters including probably the best middleweight of all time — Marvin Hagler — so it will be a good environment for Spike to learn the trade and being around experienced people like Goody will be very exciting for him.”