Celtic Rebel ‘Spike’ headed for the big time

Unbeaten Cork-born Irish middleweight Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan has put himself firmly on the fight map after his victory over Matthew Hall at Upton Park on Saturday night.

O’Sullivan took the vacant WBO international belt after his points victory.

The judges scored a close encounter 117-111, 115-114, 117-111 in favour of ‘Spike’, who is now 15 fights unbeaten.

“It was a tough fight but I was always confident I was ahead,” said Spike.

Spike’s trainer and manager, Paschal Collins — brother of former world champion Steve — was leaving nothing to chance.

“My stablemate Stephen Ormond fell victim to a bad decision recently in Scotland and I think Paschal was thinking of this. After 10 rounds he told me it was all down to the last two rounds but afterwards he said he thought I was well ahead anyway,” said Spike last night.

O’Sullivan is now planning a few weeks of rest before returning to training, and is already thinking of his next fight.

“I have to defend the title within 120 days. My plan is hopefully to defend it in Turner’s Cross,” he said.

Spike’s long-term goal is to earn a fight with German star Felix Sturm.

Saturday night’s win at Upton Park — on the bill as part of the David Haye v Dereck Chisora grudge match puts O’Sullivan in the top 12 in the world at middleweight, and keeps him on course for his ultimate goal — a world championship bout at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, a short distance from his home in Mahon.