Gary Cully plans to handle Miguel Vázquez earlier than setting his sights even larger, writes Elliot Worsell
IRELAND’S Gary Cully was given the nickname ‘The Diva’ when his calls for and wish for every little thing to be precisely proper raised eyebrows inside the workplaces of his administration crew. It’s, on this occasion, a personality trait slightly than a criticism and Cully has to this point used his consideration to element to good impact, racing to 13-0 as a professional and rising as certainly one of his nation’s brightest prospects. He has excessive requirements, clearly, each for himself and people round him, and gained’t be reducing them anytime quickly.
“I used to be first known as a diva by Lee Eaton,” Cully instructed Boxing Information. “He at some point stated I used to be a little bit of a diva and it caught. However I feel I similar to issues being executed appropriately. I’m in all probability a little bit of a perfectionist.
“I like pink as effectively [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) file is at risk of being blemished this Saturday (March 12) in Nottingham when he takes a sizeable step up in 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 a giant step up, for positive,” stated Cully. “I do know I fought [Viorel] Simion final trip, however he was type of on the slide and had his finest days at featherweight. I’m preventing a man now who was a [IBF] champion at this weight. Perhaps his finest days are behind him as effectively however he’s positively nonetheless a participant. He’s prime 10-ranked and I’m positive he’s nonetheless acquired some ambition.
“He’s a correct fighter. He’s somebody who will battle anyone. You’ll be able to see that from his file. 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 model 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.”
At any time when going through a veteran like Vázquez, the query tends to be this: what are you able to do this the boys earlier than him couldn’t? So far, 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 feel he’s in all probability seen all of it by now. That is his fifty fifth professional battle,” stated Cully. “When he got here to the UK to battle Ritson and Ohara Davies, they each tried to take the battle to him. Ritson type of plodded ahead with no actual head motion or footwork and I believed Vázquez gained that battle fairly comfortably. I feel the Ohara Davies one was nearer. Perhaps he was a bit unfortunate to not win, however it was an in depth battle.
“I’m a 6ft 2ins light-weight and I can field and likewise punch very laborious as effectively. I feel although he’s had 55 professional fights I’m going to point out him stuff he hasn’t seen earlier than. I’m planning on being among the best opponents he has fought thus far and could have a few surprises for him on the night time.
“I feel punch energy goes to be a giant factor and so is my pace and explosiveness. For my peak, 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 battle to him as effectively. I wish to field however I additionally prefer it on the within and like going to struggle. It’s in all probability finest when you possibly can 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 battle towards [Craig] Woodruff some time again [August 2020] and didn’t should do any kind of weight minimize,” he stated. “I used to be consuming breakfast the day of the weigh-in and it was a bit unusual. I feel I’d slightly do the minimize and really feel somewhat battle. In comparison with different fighters, I nonetheless do the load comfortably.
“I’ve all the time stated 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 feel I’ve the body to try this now however it’s going to 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 all over the place he appears to be like. Higher but, he can spot a path – from home degree to world championship degree – that appears not solely clear however possible, even at this comparatively early stage in his profession.
“You’ve acquired Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney, and [George] Kambosos, who has all of the belts,” stated Cully. “You’ve additionally acquired ‘Tank’ [Gervonta Davis], [Joseph] ‘JoJo’ Diaz, and Javier Fortuna, who I used to be some time again as an excellent battle for me quickly. Within the UK, you’ve acquired Maxi Hughes and Ricky Burns nonetheless knocking about as effectively.
“There are such a lot of names I want to share a hoop with. I’m in boxing for the most important fights potential. I don’t wish to be taking nothing fights and straightforward fights. I wish to problem myself and see how far I can go.”
