The Fighting Irish are a proud nation of warriors, this weekend – one of their most colourful fighting sons returns to action.

For those familiar with Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan from Cork in Ireland, you’ll know he’s one of boxing’s most fun characters out there.

Whether it’s mankinis, press conference shenanigans, relentless call outs of his rivals on Twitter or dynamite knockouts in the ring, ‘Spike’ always brings value for money in and out of the ring.

This weekend the Cork man returns to one of his favorite stomping grounds Stateside, Boston.

Indeed, it’s a home away from home that many Irish Americans have supported him in on the four previous times he’s fought in Boston in his pro career to date (25-2-17KO).

The only blemishes on the Irishman’s record to date came to current WBO middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders and talented super-middleweight IBO champion Chris Eubank Jr.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZonUvVlrkx/?taken-by=garyspikeosullivan

Since defeat to the latter back in 2015, O’Sullivan has overcome persistent ear injury trouble to string together three wins on the bounce now in the US.

This weekend he finds himself with a massive opportunity on a Golden Boy promoted card that will be shown live on ESPN in the US against Liverpool’s Nick Quigley (15-2-3KO).

The Liverpudlian will enjoy a significant height advantage over O’Sullivan but the difference in punching power could prove to be a decisive factor come fight night on Saturday, one suspects.

Quigley comes into the fight on a five fight win streak, so expect some entertaining action in this one.

Aged 33, no doubt O’Sullivan will be looking at this ESPN platform as an opportunity to launch himself back up the rankings and make another march towards a world title attempt.

(Image source and credit: @spike_osullivan Twitter)