[Wallet]

By Jonny Stapleton

GARY 'Spike' O'Sullivan's big summer world title eliminator just got bigger in every sense of the word.

Before he took to the ring against journey man Tadas Jonkus in Dublin on Friday night all the pre fight talk was about a possible WBO world middleweight world title eliminator with Billy Joe Saunders.

Post bout, however, it was revealed the Irish and WBO International champion will fight a bigger name and a bigger man in a super middleweight world title eliminator in June.
"We could have a HUGE fight coming up - the fight we were offered has now been upped to another fight," said manager and trainer Pascal Collins.

"It will be at super-middleweight and it would be an American, not an English lad on a Frank Warren show. We had a discussion yesterday (Friday) after getting a call. I sat down with Spike and said 'sometimes fights come and you can't turn them down.'"

"It's a fight we shouldn't win but it's one I think he can win. It's a fight he thinks he can win, but even if he loses, you don't lose. Because you step up in weight and you still hang onto your middleweight belt. The fight is going to happen in June and hopefully it will confirmed when we talk Monday or Tuesday."

After glancing forward and confirming what's next for O'Sullivan, Collins took time to look back and reflect on his charges most recent win.

"We've a real big fight coming up so we didn't want to clash heads or anything. I watched this guy, he has a K1 background and a lot of those guys stick the head in. I didn't want any clash of heads or anything so this was just a warm-up, a keep-busy fight and to get a win under his belt.

"The thing about Spike is, Spike is like a good pupil at school - when you tell him to do something he just does it. The way he was landing shots, I was saying 'take your time because when one of them lands this is over.' And it was. He's a tough guy and he's been in with a few decent fighters."

"Spike's style and pace, he could do it for 20 rounds. But he's always in your face. There's no escaping him. He might not 't be throwing as many shots as Stephen did in his fight but he's in your face and when he hits you, he hurts you.

"This guy Jonkus found it out in the first round. Spike nailed him and he was nervous. Every time he threw a shot Spike would hurt him," he added.

"It was actually a great work-out for him and I think he looked impressive."

http://www.irish-boxing.com/2013/05/spike-lines-up-june-super-middleweight-world-title-eliminator/

There isn't a Yank in the WBO top 15. :huh

 

[JamieC]

I cant think who this might be, is O'Sullivan ranked with any other governing body?

 

[Bryn]

Brad 'Hollywood' Pitt is in the Top 15 WBO Cruiserweight rankings.

 

[Vano-irons]

What's the odds that Billy Joe Saunders vacates and fights O'Sullivan

 

[Wallet]

What's the odds that Billy Joe Saunders vacates and fights O'Sullivan

That was the original plan.

"We could have a HUGE fight coming up - the fight we were offered has now been upped to another fight," said manager and trainer Pascal Collins.

"It will be at super-middleweight and it would be an American, not an English lad on a Frank Warren show."

 

[Grant]

What's the odds that Billy Joe Saunders vacates and fights O'Sullivan

I don't think this will go ahead either, but I don't see BJS vacating easily.

He has openly said he won't.

If Frank attempts to force him, he could be the next defecting.

 

[Vano-irons]

That's good then.

Yeah billy joe has publicly called for the fight, so it would look a little silly if he gave up the title for a meaningless eliminator

 

[JamieC]

I don't think this will go ahead either, but I don't see BJS vacating easily.

He has openly said he won't.

If Frank attempts to force him, he could be the next defecting.

ye hes said on twitter a few times he wouldnt vacate and wants the lonsdale belt

 

[BoxingAnalyst]

Probably someone like Dirrell. Can't see Billy Joe avoiding Ryder to fight O'Sullivan in a completely pointless fight.

 

[JamieC]

Probably someone like Dirrell. Can't see Billy Joe avoiding Ryder to fight O'Sullivan in a completely pointless fight.

good shout that would make sense

 

[adamcanavan]

I was about to say dirrell too

 

[kingkodi]

Dirrell would actually be quite an interesting fight. Good scalp for BJS if he won.

 

[JamieC]

Dirrell would actually be quite an interesting fight. Good scalp for BJS if he won.

Dirrell will have to get through O'Sullivan first

 

[Lilo]

I never want to see Dirrell fight again. Shit fighter to watch with an abysmal record over the past 3 years.

Utterly irrelevant.

 

[iamasadlittleboy]

Brad 'Hollywood' Pitt is in the Top 15 WBO Cruiserweight rankings.

Aint he an Aussie?

 

[sim_reiss]

Dirrell isn't a huge fight at all. They only way I can make sense of this is if Peter Quillin is struggling badly at middle and has decided to move up.

 

[Danny]

Dirrell isn't a huge fight at all. They only way I can make sense of this is if Peter Quillin is struggling badly at middle and has decided to move up.

Of course it is, it would be a huge fight for O'Sullivan, regardless of Dirrell's inactivity and otherwise relevance.

 

[sim_reiss]

Of course it is, it would be a huge fight for O'Sullivan, regardless of Dirrell's inactivity and otherwise relevance.

Huge in terms of difficulty most definitely. I guess if its true they might be referring to the paycheck rather than the occasion. I wouldn't expect it to garner much interest from fans/media in America or here.

Even putting that debate aside, the fact that Dirrell isn't ranked and the only other super-middle with a biggish reputation is Andre Ward is the factor that makes me most confused