Spike fancies Cologne smash and grab

IF they want somebody to fight Felix Sturm in his own backyard then Corkman Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan will have no problem travelling to Cologne to complete the bill.

Matthew Macklin’s trip to Cologne to fight the veteran champion for the WBA world middleweight title last month ended in controversy when two of the judges, Robert Ramirez and Jose Ignacio Martinez, awarded the fight to Sturm by identical 116-112 scores while the third judge, Levi Martinez, favoured Macklin 115-113.

A split decision the other way round would have been acceptable on the night but even the granny sitting in the corner would not have awarded it to Sturm, particularly after watching the Tipperary Tornado’s opening six rounds.

After that result the consensus was that nobody would be willing to go to Cologne for a shot at the champion and, realising this, even Sturm said he would be prepared to go to New York for a rematch if it was agreed.

But O’Sullivan said last night that if they want someone to fight Sturm in Germany he would be only too willing to travel.

“I am in line for a European title fight in September and I am waiting on a call from (promoter) Frank Warren about that,” he said. “But, in the meantime, if they are looking for somebody to fight Sturm I am ready and only too willing.

“In fact, I would fancy my chances against Sturm. I watched the world title fight and Matthew Macklin wasn’t hit that hard, although he looked the worse for wear afterwards.

“I would not mind fighting Macklin either if the opportunity arose — in fact, I’d love to fight him — and I think that fight would suit me because he is easy to hit.

“And I have no problem going anywhere to fight anyone — have gloves will travel — so going to Cologne or anywhere else would not be a problem.”

The Corkman has won all of his 13 fights to date and has only fought 44 rounds in total — recording six of his wins inside the first round.

The fight that set everyone talking, however, was at the O2 Arena in London in May when he knocked out Ryan Clarke in just a minute and 34 seconds with a body shot that is tipped to make the Sky Sports Top 10 KO’s.

He recalled: “It was a big punch and he was not getting up from it. They could have counted him out three times.”

At the moment, O’Sullivan holds the Irish middleweight title but is open to fighting for either the European middleweight or light middleweight titles in September — both of which are currently vacant.

“I have a preference for the light middleweight belt because I am a natural light middle,” he said.

“I want to win the European title and will go anywhere to win it. Then I want to defend it here in Cork.”