Friday 22 May 2015 13:35, UK
Gary 'Spike' O'Sullivan says he has set his sights on emulating Steve Collins by becoming the next Irishman to taste world title glory.
O'Sullivan takes on Melvin Betancourt at the Agganis Arena in Boston this Saturday night - on the undercard of James DeGale v Andre Dirrell, live on Sky Sports - and is the heavy favourite to come out on top in the bout.
O'Sullivan (20-1-KO13) is yet to challenge for a world title, but the Cork fighter is confident the time is right for him to follow in the footsteps of two-weight world champion Collins, who made Boston is home away from home during his 11-year career.
"Steve Collins came out here [America] - he took that road to become a world champion. He was the original Celtic Warrior, but now it's my time and I want to replicate what he achieved and become middleweight champion of the world," he said.
It is a feeling shared by O'Sullivan's trainer Pascal Collins - brother of Steve - who believes a move State side has provided his fighter with the perfect backdrop for his development into a world champion contender.
"I knew when I first brought him out here that the public would love him. He's fought five or six times and knocked everyone out," Collins said.
I knew when I first brought him out here that the public would love him. He's fought five or six times and knocked everyone out.
"I actually moved out here when Steve when was a kid and trained at Petronellis when Marvin Hagler was training there, Robbie Sims, some great fighters and I loved it.
"It's like a home from home and I love Ireland, but if you want to become a fighter, you have to come to the USA - there is no better place than the Brockton, the home of the Rocky Marciano. And the Petronellis. And Marvin Hagler. So it was a no-brainer!"
Providing that O'Sullivan overcomes Betancourt and impresses, a bout with interim WBA middleweight champion Chris Eubank Jr could be next on the agenda.
O'Sullivan, however, is not so sure that the fight would appeal to Eubank, given the two defeats his father suffered to compatriot Collins in the mid-nineties.
"I think he's afraid of me, genuinely. He really doesn't want to fight me and is just putting different obstacles in the way," said O'Sullivan.
"I think deep down he doesn't want to fight at Irishman. His daddy got beaten badly by Steve Collins and I just don't think he fancies it."
Watch DeGale v Dirrell live on Sky Sports 1, from 8.00pm, this Saturday. The fight is expected to start around 9.30pm BST.
