THE REST OF THE BILL
examines the Sin City undercard where O’sullivan and Lemieux come together in classic crossroads clash
Previewing David Lemieux vs Gary “Spike” O’sullivan, and much more
GARY “SPIKE” O’SULLIVAN used to pay a group of nuns £100-a-week to rent a hut in the woodland on the outskirts of his native Cork. Inside, he would train alone as his first-born child dozed in her stroller. It has been a long and winding road to Las Vegas for the 34-year-old, now 28-2 (20).
The Irish puncher nearly walked away from the sport altogether when he was stopped by Chris Eubank Jnr back in 2015 but should he beat David Lemieux at the T-mobile Arena, there is every chance he will fight for a world title in his next contest.
The turnaround really gathered pace back in December when he upset the odds by stopping hot favourite Antoine Douglas in the seventh round of their contest at the Place Bell, Montreal.
That night, at the top of the bill, his close friend and former opponent Billy Joe Saunders despatched Lemieux with a memorable 12-round schooling and the 39-4 (33) French Canadian knows that a second defeat in eight months will end his dreams of returning to the elite.
However, whoever comes out on top of O’sullivan and Lemieux’s mouthwatering dust-up, could well face Canelo Alvarez for the WBA and WBC belts should the Mexican beat Gennady Golovkin in the main event.
And, although there would be no belts on the line, it is possible that the winner could also be in line for a moneyspinning ‘comeback’ clash with Canelo next year, in the event that he loses to Triple G.
It is a well-worn metaphor in Sin City but the stakes could not be any higher in the chief support, with no space for passengers in such a bustling 160lbs division. But do not expect anything cagey from the pair, who can both box, but would rather bang. This one could be over inside three rounds with either man doing the business. Underdog O’sullivan has the better momentum going in and is the pick to spring another surprise.
There is every chance that 21-yearold Jaime Munguia will develop into a fearsome Mexican middleweight capable of headlining shows like this himself in years to come. Now 30-0 with 21 inside the distance, the Tijuana starlet is yet to put a foot wrong and can give his burgeoning reputation another major boost with a statement win over 20-1 (13) Brandon Cook.
Munguia, of course, is back in the state where he was denied a crack at Golovkin earlier this year. The Nevada State Athletic Commission decided against approving the contest for Cinco de Mayo weekend, as GGG instead walked through Vanes Martirosyan. It could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Munguia, who has since won the WBO super-welterweight title by destroying champion Sadam Ali inside four rounds before defending it successfully against former champion, Liam Smith.
He was forced to go the full 12 rounds for the first time by the Liverpudlian but showed no issues coping with the distance, not that Cook is expected to last too long. The Canadian was left frustrated when a scheduled clash with Kell Brook fell by the wayside in July but that did free him up for this crack at Munguia.
But the 32-year-old, who was stopped by Kanat Islam 12 months ago, will do well to make it past six rounds against a Mexican opponent who is well and truly on a roll. The big, strong Munguia is still learning and there is a chance that he could be outboxed by some of the division’s stylists. Cook, however, does not appear to be one of them. He looks made for the big-punching youngster, and expect him to be stopped before the final bell.
Elsewhere, Moises Fuentes has vowed to send Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez into retirement but the Nicaraguan should keep his career alive with a much-needed stoppage win against his Mexican opponent following back-to-back defeats to Srisaket Sor Rungvisai.
Golden Boy starlet Vergil Ortiz Jnr
has been tipped for great things after surging to 10-0, all quick. Roberto Ortiz, 35-3-2 (26), who has been in with the likes of Lucas Matthysse and Cletus Seldin, will be a decent barometer – but not too much of a threat – over 10-threes.
Undefeated prospects Jaba Khositashvili, 3-0 (2), and 4-0 (3) Lawrence King meet in a six-round contest at super-middleweight while highly touted Alexis Rocha, 11-0 (8), faces a risky one against big-punching but untested Carlos Ortiz Cervantes,
who has ended all 11 of his victories inside the distance but has lost twice. Finally, New York welterweight Brian Ceballo, 4-0 (2), will be in action over six rounds against an opponent yet to be confirmed.
THE VERDICT Plenty of intrigue and a smattering of stars make this acceptable fare