Gary Spike O'Sullivan set to continue his pro career into 2027 with another fight on the cards for the veteran Cork boxer

On Sunday evening last, the boxing community in Blackpool rejoiced with their illustrious sporting colleagues in Glen Rovers as the hurlers had just won their 28th Cork senior hurling championship title.

These two clubs are renowned as the Blackpool sporting Siamese twins.

The hurling club was established in the boxing club in 1916. 

In congratulating the Glen, the Glen Boxing Club chairman Anthony Connolly said it was a gear day for the people of Blackpool.

"This is a tremendous day for Blackpool people who love all sports.

"Generations for years to come will never forget this day. 

"This victory was won over the gallant old blues, our greatest rivals, St Finbarr's.

"When the Glen Rovers were relegated three years ago people in that great club were truly sad. 

"I am really delighted that we have defeated the Barrs on this great occasion, as we in the Northside respect them so much and they are a great club. 

"This victory over them gives further credence to the Glen's victory."

Connolly will next week be presented with a special copy of Pat Horgan's new book HOGGIE.

Elsewhere, Gary Spike O'Sullivan has denied rumours of his impending retirement. 

Speaking on Saturday morning last in Ringmahon Park before his son Tommy lined out for Ringmahon U12's, Spike said the following.

"I have no intention of retiring for a while yet and I am currently in training for a fight in London which Pascal Collins has arranged for February next year."

Spike's professional career record stands at 38 fights, 32 victories, 21 by knockout and six defeats.

Now in the autumn of his professional career Gary ‘Spike`O'Sullivan is undisputedly acknowledged as one of the greatest boxers Cork has ever produced. 

His conversion to the professional boxing circuit was late, however, he lost no time in making an impact as a middleweight with a big punch. 

Over the last 150 years Cork has been renowned as a great city for producing top-class boxers. 

The sport has enjoyed a great tradition on Leeside, and many outstanding amateur boxers have made major headlines as national champions, internationals and Olympian’s. 

Arguably, however, only five have had the potential to seriously embrace the mantle of world championship contenders, Jack McAuliffe, Pakey O’Mahony, Jack Doyle, Mick Leahy and Gary ‘Spike O’Sullivan.

The majestic rise of the man from Mahon to fight at Madison Square Garden was a mecca achievement.

This venue for Spike was the holy grail, the mecca of world boxing, where his lifetime boxing hero, the great Mohammed Ali tread the boards in the sixties. 

For most fight fans, it would be an honor to enter this building’s boxing main auditorium, but to fight in the ring at that venue could at best be only a dream for a boxer from Cork. 

Spike realized that dream and, in the process, made many friends and enjoyed widespread admiration in the Big Apple.

In July 2012, on a world heavyweight title bill Spike truly arrived on the international stage before 40,000 spectators and watched live by millions on Sky Sports, Spike defeated Mathew Hall to win the prestigious WBO International Middleweight Belt. 

Following this victory Spike was invited to the Aras to meet the President Michael D Higgins. 

O’Sullivan remained undefeated for the next two years, winning eight more fights and was ranked at number four in the world during this period.

The Corkman was now moving but due to style confrontation lost a couple of fights to Billy Joe Saunders and Eubank Junior. 

However, Spike never displayed fear of any opponent. 

He fought all over the world and his opponents included Englishman, yank’s, Russians, Mexicans, French and Canadian boxers.

Spike O’Sullivan's greatest success came in 2017 in Quebec, Canada, when against all the odds he knocked out the firm favorite and world number two ranked Antoine Douglas in the seventh round. 

Spike that night won the much-acclaimed WBO Intercontinental Middleweight title.

This was his finest hour in the ring,

Finally, the sympathy of all in Cork boxing circles has been extended to the families of two great boxing stalwarts who have passed away recently. Timmy O'Keeffe was a great follower of the Togher Boxing Club. 

For many years he travelled with the club all over the country and abroad, including two memorable trips to England and Russia. 

He was particularly proud of his family relatives Leanne Murphy and Jamie O'Reilly, who were excellent boxers. 

During the past year he was a guest at a Cork Boxing Breakfast where he said that he truly loved his association and friendship with all in the Togher Boxing Club. 

Patsy Duggan, from Ballyhooly, was a long-standing member of the Fermoy Boxing Club. 

He was respected, admired, and remembered by all as a gas man who was always up for the craic.

Patsy died as he lived without any great amount of fuss. 

May both of these great boxing men now rest in eternal peace.