Ring legend Oscar De La Hoya reckons Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan is the best-dressed man in boxing.
But the bookies still expect Mexico’s Jaime Munguia to take the dapper Cork middleweight to the cleaners in Texas in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Some bookies have the Tjinua puncher at 1/25 with the Mahon orthodox at 10/1 to have his hand raised in victory in San Antonio.
A win for either man will open the door to a world title shot at 160lbs, with unbeaten Munguia aiming to become a two-weight champion.
De La Hoya’s Golden Boy is promoting tonight’s card, and it appears that almost everyone - except Munguia - is taking O’Sullivan for granted.
However, the Leesider is determined to cause an upset and believes that the 12-rounder won’t go the distance in the Lone Star State.
“I feel great at middleweight and even stronger at this weight,” said the Corkman who dropped down to light-middle following his defeat to David Lemieux in Las Vegas in 2018.
“I’ll be working at both weights to get the best fights out there. “You know, I’m not being brought here to win. I’m in his backyard and he’s a superstar over here. He’s bringing in millions of dollars for Golden Boy Promotions.
“But I’m not reading the script. I don’t believe I’ll get a points decision so I’ll be looking for a knockout. I’ve prepared very hard for this fight, and I’ve made a lot of sacrifices. Don’t miss this fight because it’s going to be a war.”
Undefeated Munguia is by no means underestimating O’Sullivan ahead of his debut at 160lbs and his 35th pro fight.
“I’ve come with motivation. It’s something new for my team and me. It’s a new (weight) division with a lot of great fighters such as Gary’ O’Sullivan, “ he remarked.
O’Sullivan, who has won 30 of his 33 outings so far, believes that moving up a limit will suit Munguia, who controversially beat Kildare’s Dennis Hogan last April.
“I think that will potentially work against me because he is a bigger man. I can make 154lbs (light middle) easily, but he struggled to make 154. Myself and Dennis (Hogan) are different fighters.
“He’s more of a boxer, and I’m more of a knock out artist. He’s there to be hit and I hit harder than Dennis.”
O’Sullivan and Munguia men will be in the ring at approximately 4 am (Irish time) on Sunday morning.
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