Saunders and O’Sullivan victories set up big showdown

CORK middleweight Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan wants another cut at Billy Joe Saunders after both men impressively won on the same card in the Canadian city of Quebec in the early hours yesterday.

O’Sullivan beat Virginian Antoine Douglas to claim the vacant WBO Inter-Continental belt in the chief support bout while Saunders outclassed David Lemieux to retain his WBO World middleweight title in the main event.

“I’m smack on now for a cut at the World title and I’m looking forward to a massive 2018,” said O’Sullivan.

O’Sullivan was beaten by Saunders — who dethroned Andy Lee on a majority decision to secure the WBO strap in 2015 — at London’s Wembley Arena in 2013.

Famed MC, Michael ‘Let’s Get Ready To Rumble’ Buffer, hailed O’Sullivan’s performance in Quebec, describing the Leesider as “a total, never-quit professional”.

The first six rounds were fairly even, but the pendulum began to swing in O’Sullivan’s favour after he found the target with three solid hooks in the sixth.

Douglas’ game plan completely unravelled after he was backed onto the ropes by a massive right in the seventh and O’Sullivan finished the job with a barrage of unanswered shots.

The win improves O’Sullivan to 27 victories from 29 outings and improves his KO ratio to 66 per cent. It also opens the door for a tilt at the big one.

“I want Saunders,” said the man from the Rebel County after his victory over an opponent who had only been stopped once in 24 fights prior to Saturday.

“I got the win in impressive fashion. He’s never been down like that before.”

Danny Calhoun fought the law and the law won in Boston on Saturday, the Chicago boxer stopped in the second round by Wexford Garda Niall Kennedy who retained his New England heavyweight belt and added an Americas title to his CV. Champion: Billy Joe Saunders celebrates his win over David Lemieux in Canada