Gary Cully: ‘I’m in boxing for the biggest fights possible’

IRELAND’S Gary Cully was given the nickname ‘The Diva’ when his calls for and want for all the things to be precisely proper raised eyebrows throughout the places of work of his administration workforce. It’s, on this occasion, a personality trait relatively than a criticism and Cully has to date used his consideration to element to good impact, racing to 13-0 as a professional and rising as one among his nation’s brightest prospects. He has excessive requirements, clearly, each for himself and people round him, and gained’t be decreasing them anytime quickly.

“I used to be first known as a diva by Lee Eaton,” Cully instructed Boxing Information. “He sooner or later mentioned I used to be a little bit of a diva and it caught. However I believe I identical to issues being performed accurately. I’m most likely a little bit of a perfectionist.

“I like pink as nicely [he wears pink on fight night], so all of it goes collectively properly. It appears to be a success with individuals.”

A stickler for perfection, light-weight Cully will probably be ultra-aware his 13-0 (7) report is at risk of being blemished this Saturday (March 12) in Nottingham when he takes a sizeable step up at school towards Miguel Vázquez, 44-10 (17).

The Mexican has been deemed previous his finest for some time now, but continues to confound the doubters and deceive Father Time. Although 35, the final time he was seen within the UK, again in October 2020, Vázquez appeared extraordinarily unfortunate to not get the choice towards Lewis Ritson.

“It’s an enormous step up, for certain,” mentioned Cully. “I do know I fought [Viorel] Simion final outing, however he was form of on the slide and had his finest days at featherweight. I’m combating a man now who was a [IBF] champion at this weight. Possibly his finest days are behind him as nicely however he’s positively nonetheless a participant. He’s high 10-ranked and I’m certain he’s nonetheless received some ambition.

“He’s a correct fighter. He’s somebody who will combat anyone. You may see that from his report. He’s fought Canelo [Álvarez], [Timothy] Bradley, Josh Taylor, and went as much as welterweight and fought [Thulani] Mbenge. He’s a typical Mexican and that awkward type of his may cause individuals issues it doesn’t matter what age he’s. He doesn’t get hit that usually, both. He hasn’t actually taken that a lot injury.”

Every time going through a veteran like Vázquez, the query tends to be this: what are you able to do this the lads earlier than him couldn’t? To date, Cully has watched Vázquez, even in defeat, shrug his shoulders at the specter of different fighters within the UK and is aware of solely Josh Taylor, a longtime world champion, has defeated Vázquez with any diploma of consolation.

“I believe he’s most likely seen all of it by now. That is his fifty fifth professional combat,” mentioned Cully. “When he got here to the UK to combat Ritson and Ohara Davies, they each tried to take the combat to him. Ritson form of plodded ahead with no actual head motion or footwork and I believed Vázquez gained that combat fairly comfortably. I believe the Ohara Davies one was nearer. Possibly he was a bit unfortunate to not win, but it surely was a detailed combat.

“I’m a 6ft 2ins light-weight and I can field and in addition punch very arduous as nicely. I believe despite the fact that he’s had 55 professional fights I’m going to indicate him stuff he hasn’t seen earlier than. I’m planning on being among the finest opponents he has fought thus far and could have a few surprises for him on the night time.

“I believe punch energy goes to be an enormous factor and so is my velocity and explosiveness. For my top, individuals don’t anticipate that. They anticipate me to maintain issues at a distance and attempt to shut my opponent out. However I’ll be taking the combat to him as nicely. I wish to field however I additionally prefer it on the within and like going to warfare. It’s most likely finest when you may combine the 2 up.”

As a 6ft 2ins light-weight, Cully is requested, usually, each how he makes the load and the way for much longer he intends to maintain making the load. “I went as much as 140 [pounds] for a combat towards [Craig] Woodruff some time again [August 2020] and didn’t need to do any type of weight lower,” he mentioned. “I used to be consuming breakfast the day of the weigh-in and it was a bit unusual. I believe I’d relatively do the lower and really feel slightly battle. In comparison with different fighters, I nonetheless do the load comfortably.

“I’ve all the time mentioned from the beginning that I wish to win a world title at light-weight, then transfer up and attempt to win one at two or three weights. I believe I’ve the body to do this now however it’ll clearly take a while maturing into 140 and 147. Proper now, I’m comfy at 135 and my plan is to problem for a world title within the subsequent 12 to 18 months.”

As for potential fights, Cully, 26, sees them in all places he seems. Higher but, he can spot a path – from home stage to world championship stage – that appears not solely clear however possible, even at this comparatively early stage in his profession.

“You’ve received Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney, and [George] Kambosos, who has all of the belts,” mentioned Cully. “You’ve additionally received ‘Tank’ [Gervonta Davis], [Joseph] ‘JoJo’ Diaz, and Javier Fortuna, who I used to be taking a look at some time again as an excellent combat for me quickly. Within the UK, you’ve received Maxi Hughes and Ricky Burns nonetheless knocking about as nicely.

“There are such a lot of names I want to share a hoop with. I’m in boxing for the most important fights attainable. I don’t wish to be taking nothing fights and simple fights. I wish to problem myself and see how far I can go.”