Gary Cully

{{Infobox boxer

| name = Gary Cully

| image =

| realname =

| nickname = The Diva

| weight = {{plainlist|

}}

| height = 6 ft 2 in

| reach =

| nationality =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1996|1|26}}

| birth_place = Naas, Ireland

| death_date =

| death_place =

| style = Southpaw

| boxrec = 809347

| total = 20

| wins = 18

| KO = 10

| losses = 2

| draws =

| no contests =

| medaltemplates =

{{MedalCountry|{{IRL}}}}

}}

Gary Cully (born 26 January 1996) is an Irish professional boxer who has held the Irish lightweight title since 2020. As an amateur he won a gold medal at the 2013 European Youth Championships and fought at the 2014 Youth World Championships.

Amateur career

{{quote box | width=30em | bgcolor=#c6dbf7 | align=left | quote=And then I think Rio didn’t help... and then seeing Mick [Conlan] being robbed as well... I’ve seen it in the [National] Stadium over the years, but when I saw how hard Michael trained for the Olympics, to go out and be robbed like that on the biggest stage – in front of the whole world, like – that was a big thing as well, yeah.|source= —Cully discussing his motivations for turning pro early{{cite news|url=https://www.the42.ie/best-young-irish-boxers-3758159-Jan2018/|title='Croc', 'The Silencer', and 'The Naas Tommy Hearns': Irish pro boxing's future is in concrete hands|publisher=The42|first=Gavan|last=Casey|date=22 January 2018|accessdate=3 June 2020}}}}

Cully began boxing at the age of seven at St David's Boxing Club in Naas.{{cite news|url=https://www.aiba.org/blog/irish-youth-ready-delight-sofia/|title=Irish Youth ready to delight Sofia|publisher=AIBA|date=12 April 2014|accessdate=3 June 2020}} He won gold in the flyweight event of the 2013 European Youth Championships in Rotterdam, defeating Masud Yusifzada of Azerbaijan in the final and taking home the Best Boxer Award.{{cite news|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/boxing/2013/0817/468797-cully-triumphs-at-european-youth-championships/|title=Gary Cully triumphs at European Youth Championships in the Netherlands|publisher=RTÉ|date=18 August 2013|accessdate=3 June 2020}}{{cite news|url=http://www.eubcboxing.org/news/rotterdams-ten-heroes-eybc-2013-from-aiba-point-of-view/|title=Rotterdam's ten heroes – EYBC 2013 From AIBA Point of View|publisher=eubcboxing.org|date=20 August 2013|accessdate=3 June 2020}} He then represented his country at the 2014 AIBA Youth World Championships in Sofia, making his debut in the bantamweight class. He lost his first match by split decision to Ukrainian Voldymyr Fedora,{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/other-sports/irish-coach-blasts-ref-as-cully-loses-out-265539.html|title=Irish coach blasts ref as Cully loses out|publisher=Irish Examiner|first=Bernard|last=O’Neill|date=16 April 2014|accessdate=3 June 2020}} who would eventually fall to Peter McGrail in the quarter-finals.

He was also a six-time underage Irish national champion and won the 2016 Haringey Box Cup in London, being named Best Overall Boxer in the process. Cully was defeated by future pro stablemate David Oliver Joyce in the quarter-finals of the 2016 Irish Elite Championships which ended any hopes of attempting to qualify for the Rio Olympics.{{cite web|url=http://amateur-boxing.strefa.pl/Nationalchamps/Ireland2016.html|title=Irish National Championships results|publisher=amateur-boxing.strefa.pl|access-date=29 June 2021}}

Having had ambitions of qualifying for the 2020 Olympics, Cully would become disillusioned with amateur boxing after rule changes and controversies such as compatriot Michael Conlan's loss to Vladimir Nikitin at Rio 2016.

Professional career

In the summer of 2017, Cully signed with MTK Global and turned professional, linking up with trainer Pete Taylor - father of Katie.{{cite news|url=http://www.boxing.com/gary_cully_turns_pro.html|title=Gary Cully turns Pro|publisher=boxing.com|first=Cain|last=Bradley|date=18 July 2017|accessdate=3 June 2020}} He made his debut on 16 September 2017, stopping Hungarian journeyman Gyula Tallosi inside a minute at the Devenish Complex in Belfast.{{cite news|url=https://www.irish-boxing.com/gary-cully-debut-ko-interview/|title="I'm the hardest-hitting lightweight out there" – Gary Cully promising power following debut KO|publisher=irish-boxing.com|first=Joe|last=O'Neill|date=18 September 2017|accessdate=3 June 2020}} A busy start to his pro career saw Cully then fight twice at the SSE Arena in Belfast, scoring impressive wins over durable Englishmen Josh Thorne and Kane Baker.{{cite news|url=https://www.irish-boxing.com/gary-cully-belfast-show-opener/|title=Gary Cully opens big Belfast show in style|publisher=irish-boxing.com|first=Joe|last=O'Neill|date=21 October 2017|accessdate=3 June 2020}}

Following two more undercard wins in Belfast in the first half of 2018, Cully began to step up his level of opposition. First he would score a statement third-round stoppage over game Wearsider Jordan Ellison on 5 October 2018 at the Titanic Exhibition Centre before knocking out Tanzanian Mohammed Kambuluta (18–5, 7 KO) in the first round at the same venue on 7 December 2018 to improve to 7–0 as a pro.{{cite news|url=https://www.boxinginsider.com/headlines/gary-cully-impresses-in-belfast-as-conrad-cummings-claims-european-glory/|title=Gary Cully Impresses in Belfast as Conrad Cummings Claims European Glory|publisher=Boxing Insider|first=Oliver|last=McManus|date=9 December 2018|accessdate=3 June 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.worldboxingnews.com/gary-cully-says-strength-improving-time/|title=Gary Cully says strength is improving all the time|publisher=worldboxingnews.com|date=28 March 2019|accessdate=3 June 2020}}

The lilywhite had an uneventful 2019, only fighting twice due to a knuckle gash and missing out on a clash with French champion Renald Garrido as a result.{{cite news|url=https://www.irish-boxing.com/irish-lightweight-title-gary-cully-joe-fitzpatrick/|title=Gary Cully destroys Joe Fitzpatrick inside ONE ROUND to win Irish Lightweight Title|publisher=irish-boxing.com|first=Joe|last=O'Neill|date=1 February 2020|accessdate=3 June 2020}} After months of looking for a challenger for the Irish lightweight title,{{cite news|url=https://britishboxingnews.co.uk/blogs/gary-cully-wants-european-title-and-claims-all-irish-lightweights-are-running-scared|title=Gary Cully wants European title and claims all Irish lightweights are running scared|publisher=British Boxing News|date=30 August 2018|accessdate=3 June 2020}} he finally won the vacant national belt on 1 February 2020 when he faced unbeaten local prospect Joe Fitzpatrick (10–0, 7 KO) at the Ulster Hall in Belfast. Cully would stop the 2014 Commonwealth Games silver medalist by first-round TKO for his first title.{{cite news|url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/boxing/gary-cully-stops-joe-fitzpatrick-17674424|title=Gary Cully stops Joe Fitzpatrick in first round of Irish title clash|publisher=Belfast Live|first=Gareth|last=Fullerton|date=1 February 2020|accessdate=3 June 2020}}

Cully was expected to face Kieran Gething on 26 August 2020. Gething later withdrew from the bout, and was replaced by Craig Woodruff, who stepped in on 18-days notice.{{cite web |last1=Kirwan |first1=Chris |title=Craig Woodruff steps in late to face Irish hope Gary Cully |url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/18637734.craig-woodruff-steps-late-face-irish-hope-gary-cully/ |website=southwalesargus.co.uk |access-date=9 February 2022 |date=8 August 2020}} Cully won the fight on points.{{cite web |last1=Powell |first1=Dewi |title=Craig Woodruff comes close against clever Gary Cully who wins on points |url=https://boxing-wales.com/2020/08/26/craig-woodruff-gary-cully/ |website=boxing-wales.com |access-date=9 February 2022}} Six months later, on 13 March 2021, Cully faced Viktor Kotochigov for the vacant WBO European lightweight title.{{cite web |title=Gary Cully Faces Viktor Kotochigov For WBO European Title This Friday |url=https://www.boxen247.com/gary-cully-faces-viktor-kotochigov-for-wbo-european-title-this-friday/ |website=boxen247.com |access-date=9 February 2022 |date=9 March 2021}} He made quick work of the Kazakh, as he won the fight by a second-round technical knockout.{{cite web |title=Boxing Results: Lewis Crocker And Gary Cully Shine In Title Fights |url=https://www.boxingnews24.com/2021/03/boxing-results-lewis-crocker-and-gary-cully-shine-in-title-fights/ |website=boxingnews24.com |access-date=9 February 2022 |date=13 March 2021}} Cully faced Viorel Simion on 25 June 2021, in his second and final fight of the year.{{cite web |title=Undefeated Irish sensation Gary Cully steps up against former WBC International champion Viorel Simion next |url=https://britishboxingnews.co.uk/blogs/undefeated-irish-sensation-gary-cully-steps-up-against-former-wbc-international-champion-viorel-simion-next |website=britishboxingnews.co.uk |access-date=9 February 2022 |date=17 June 2021}} Simion retired from the bout at the end of the third round.{{cite web |last1=O'Neill |first1=Joe |title=Class Cully CRUSHES Viorel Simion in three rounds |url=https://www.irish-boxing.com/class-cully-crushes-viorel-simion-in-three-rounds/ |website=irish-boxing.com |access-date=9 February 2022 |date=25 June 2021}}

Professional boxing record

{{BoxingRecordSummary

|draws=

|nc=

|ko-wins=10

|ko-losses=1

|dec-wins=8

|dec-losses=1

|dq-wins=

|dq-losses=

|wins=18}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{{abbr\|No.\|Number}} !Result !Record !Opponent !Type !Round, time !Date !Location !Notes
20 \|{{no2}}Loss \|18–2 \|style="text-align:left;"\|Maxi Hughes \|UD \|10 \|14 Dec 2024 \|style="text-align:left;"\|{{small\|Salle des Étoiles, Monte Carlo, Monaco}} \|
19 \|{{yes2}}Win \|18–1 \|style="text-align:left;"\|Francesco Patera \|{{abbr\|UD\|Unanimous decision}} \|10 \|25 May 2024 \|style="text-align:left;"\|{{small\|First Direct Arena, Leeds, England}} \|
18 \|{{yes2}}Win \|17–1 \|style="text-align:left;"\|Reece Mould \|{{abbr\|SD\|Split decision}} \|10 \|25 Nov 2023 \|style="text-align:left;"\|{{small\|3Arena, Dublin, Ireland}} \|
17 \|{{no2}}Loss \|16–1 \|style="text-align:left;"\|José Félix Jr. \|TKO \|3 (10), {{small\|2:34}} \|20 May 2023 \|style="text-align:left;"\|{{small\|3Arena, Dublin, Ireland}} \|align=left\|
16 \|{{yes2}}Win \|16–0 \|style="text-align:left;"\|Wilfredo Flores \|TKO \|3 (10), {{small\|1:52}} \|18 Feb 2023 \|style="text-align:left;"\|{{small\|Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham, England}} \|align=left\|{{small\|Won vacant WBA Inter-Continental lightweight title}}
15 \|{{yes2}}Win \|15–0 \|style="text-align:left;"\|Jaouad Belmehdi \|TKO \|1 (10), {{small\|0:35}} \|29 Oct 2022 \|style="text-align:left;"\|{{small\|Wembley Arena, London, England}} \|
14 \|{{yes2}}Win \|14–0 \|style="text-align:left;"\|Miguel Vázquez \|KO \|5 (10), {{small\|0:41}} \|12 Mar 2022 \|style="text-align:left;"\|{{small\|Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham, England}} \|
13 \|{{yes2}}Win \|13–0 \|align=left\|Viorel Simion \|{{abbr\|RTD\|Corner retirement}} \|3 (10), {{small\|3:00}} \|25 Jun 2021 \|align=left\|{{small\|Bolton Whites Hotel, Bolton, England}} \|
12 \|{{yes2}}Win \|12–0 \|align=left\|Viktor Kotochigov \|TKO \|2 (10), {{small\|2:57}} \|13 Mar 2021 \|align=left\|{{small\|Round 10 Boxing Club, Dubai, United Arab Emirates}} \|align=left\|{{small\|Won vacant WBO European lightweight title}}
11 \|{{yes2}}Win \|11–0 \|align=left\|Craig Woodruff \|PTS \|8 \|26 Aug 2020 \|align=left\|{{small\|Production Park Studios, South Kirkby, England}} \|
10 \|{{yes2}}Win \|10–0 \|align=left\|Joe Fitzpatrick \|TKO \|1 (10), {{small\|1:38}} \|1 Feb 2020 \|align=left\|{{small\|Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland}} \|align=left\|{{small\|Won vacant Irish lightweight title}}
9 \|{{yes2}}Win \|9–0 \|align=left\|Danny Mendoza \|PTS \|6 \|11 Oct 2019 \|align=left\|{{small\|Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland}} \|
9 \|{{yes2}}Win \|8–0 \|align=left\|Brayan Mairena \|PTS \|6 \|29 Mar 2019 \|align=left\|{{small\|Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland}} \|
7 \|{{yes2}}Win \|7–0 \|align=left\|Mohammed Kambuluta \|{{abbr\|KO\|Knockout}} \|1 (8), {{small\|0:06}} \|7 Dec 2018 \|align=left\|{{small\|Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast, Northern Ireland}} \|
6 \|{{yes2}}Win \|6–0 \|align=left\|Jordan Ellison \|TKO \|3 (6), {{small\|0:57}} \|5 Oct 2018 \|align=left\|{{small\|Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast, Northern Ireland}} \|
5 \|{{yes2}}Win \|5–0 \|align=left\|Reynaldo Cajina \|PTS \|4 \|30 Jun 2018 \|align=left\|{{small\|SSE Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland}} \|
4 \|{{yes2}}Win \|4–0 \|align=left\|Pal Olah \|PTS \|4 \|10 Feb 2018 \|align=left\|{{small\|Devenish Complex, Belfast, Northern Ireland}} \|
3 \|{{yes2}}Win \|3–0 \|align=left\|Kane Baker \|{{abbr\|PTS\|Points decision}} \|4 \|18 Nov 2017 \|align=left\|{{small\|SSE Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland}} \|
2 \|{{yes2}}Win \|2–0 \|align=left\|Josh Thorne \|TKO \|3 (4), {{small\|0:30}} \|21 Oct 2017 \|align=left\|{{small\|SSE Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland}} \|
1 \|{{yes2}}Win \|1–0 \|align=left\|Gyula Tallosi \|{{abbr\|TKO\|Technical knockout}} \|1 (4), {{small\|0:42}} \|16 Sep 2017 \|align=left\|{{small\|Devenish Complex, Belfast, Northern Ireland}} \|

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

!Result

!Record

!Opponent

!Type

!Round, time

!Date

!Location

!Notes

|{{no2}}Loss

|18–2

|style="text-align:left;"|Maxi Hughes

|UD

|10

|14 Dec 2024

|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Salle des Étoiles, Monte Carlo, Monaco}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|18–1

|style="text-align:left;"|Francesco Patera

|{{abbr|UD|Unanimous decision}}

|10

|25 May 2024

|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|First Direct Arena, Leeds, England}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|17–1

|style="text-align:left;"|Reece Mould

|{{abbr|SD|Split decision}}

|10

|25 Nov 2023

|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|3Arena, Dublin, Ireland}}

|{{no2}}Loss

|16–1

|style="text-align:left;"|José Félix Jr.

|TKO

|3 (10), {{small|2:34}}

|20 May 2023

|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|3Arena, Dublin, Ireland}}

|align=left|

|{{yes2}}Win

|16–0

|style="text-align:left;"|Wilfredo Flores

|TKO

|3 (10), {{small|1:52}}

|18 Feb 2023

|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham, England}}

|align=left|{{small|Won vacant WBA Inter-Continental lightweight title}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|15–0

|style="text-align:left;"|Jaouad Belmehdi

|TKO

|1 (10), {{small|0:35}}

|29 Oct 2022

|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Wembley Arena, London, England}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|14–0

|style="text-align:left;"|Miguel Vázquez

|KO

|5 (10), {{small|0:41}}

|12 Mar 2022

|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham, England}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|13–0

|align=left|Viorel Simion

|{{abbr|RTD|Corner retirement}}

|3 (10), {{small|3:00}}

|25 Jun 2021

|align=left|{{small|Bolton Whites Hotel, Bolton, England}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|12–0

|align=left|Viktor Kotochigov

|TKO

|2 (10), {{small|2:57}}

|13 Mar 2021

|align=left|{{small|Round 10 Boxing Club, Dubai, United Arab Emirates}}

|align=left|{{small|Won vacant WBO European lightweight title}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|11–0

|align=left|Craig Woodruff

|PTS

|26 Aug 2020

|align=left|{{small|Production Park Studios, South Kirkby, England}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|10–0

|align=left|Joe Fitzpatrick

|TKO

|1 (10), {{small|1:38}}

|1 Feb 2020

|align=left|{{small|Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland}}

|align=left|{{small|Won vacant Irish lightweight title}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|9–0

|align=left|Danny Mendoza

|PTS

|11 Oct 2019

|align=left|{{small|Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|8–0

|align=left|Brayan Mairena

|PTS

|29 Mar 2019

|align=left|{{small|Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|7–0

|align=left|Mohammed Kambuluta

|{{abbr|KO|Knockout}}

|1 (8), {{small|0:06}}

|7 Dec 2018

|align=left|{{small|Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast, Northern Ireland}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|6–0

|align=left|Jordan Ellison

|TKO

|3 (6), {{small|0:57}}

|5 Oct 2018

|align=left|{{small|Titanic Exhibition Centre, Belfast, Northern Ireland}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|5–0

|align=left|Reynaldo Cajina

|PTS

|30 Jun 2018

|align=left|{{small|SSE Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|4–0

|align=left|Pal Olah

|PTS

|10 Feb 2018

|align=left|{{small|Devenish Complex, Belfast, Northern Ireland}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|3–0

|align=left|Kane Baker

|{{abbr|PTS|Points decision}}

|18 Nov 2017

|align=left|{{small|SSE Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|2–0

|align=left|Josh Thorne

|TKO

|3 (4), {{small|0:30}}

|21 Oct 2017

|align=left|{{small|SSE Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland}}

|{{yes2}}Win

|1–0

|align=left|Gyula Tallosi

|{{abbr|TKO|Technical knockout}}

|1 (4), {{small|0:42}}

|16 Sep 2017

|align=left|{{small|Devenish Complex, Belfast, Northern Ireland}}

References

External links

{{boxrec|id=809347}}

{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Regional boxing titles}}

{{s-ttl|title=Irish lightweight champion

|years=2 February 2020 – present}}

Category:Living people

Category:1996 births

Category:Irish male boxers

Category:Lightweight boxers

Category:Light-welterweight boxers

Category:Southpaw boxers

Category:People from Naas

Category:Boxers from County Kildare

Category:21st-century Irish sportsmen