Lord of the Dance
Irish middleweight Spike O’Sullivan to take time out after Jaime Munguia loss in Texas
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Irish middleweight Spike O’Sullivan to take time out after Jaime Munguia loss in Texas

IRISH middleweight Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan plans to take time out from boxing after a crushing loss to Mexico’s Jaime Munguia.

The Cork boxer was retired by his corner towards the end of the 11th round in Texas at the weekend, in what was the ruthless Munguia’s first fight in that weight class.

O’Sullivan was on the receiving end of a number of low blows throughout the contest, but referee Mark Calo-oy only docked a point once, in the sixth round.

The unbeaten Mexican now has 35 straight victories and has targeted the best in the division.

"When I had him hurt, that’s when he would hit hard, so I had to let him get tired, then find the finish,” said Munguia after the fight. “I was confused whether to attack or not. I want to fight the best in the division, Golovkin, Canelo or Charlos.”

O’Sullivan had Munguia rattled in the third round but could not press home his advantage.

The 35 year-old had acknowledged that he needed to knock out the Munguia to earn a career-best win and he came close to doing so in the closing seconds of the third. He hammered Munguia with a left hook to the head on the counter and had the Mexican dazed.

Munguia recovered, and in the latter rounds and wore O’Sullivan down with brutal body shots.

Potential world title shot

It remains to be seen whether the gutsy Cork fighter – who has now lost out to four world champions – has anymore to give. A world title shot at light middleweight is still on offer from Golden Boy and O'Sullivan has dropped hints he wishes to continue.

But he will take time out before confirming.

"I think he is strong at middleweight and he can do good things at the weight,” O’Sullivan said of his opponent afterwards.

“Golden Boy said they are going to get me a world title shot at light middleweight. I think he was stronger at 160lbs than he was at 154lbs.

"He was the bigger guy in there, but I nearly took him out a few times as well. I rocked him a few times.

“I just want to go home and take some time off from boxing and spend some time with my kids. I want to take a break from boxing for a while.”