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Gary O'Sullivan has mental edge over Chris Eubank Jr, says trainer

Tuesday 3 November 2015 14:57, UK

BOSTON, MA - MAY 20: Gary O'Sullivan works out in preparation for his middleweight bout against Melvin Betancourt at The Ring Boxing Club on May 20, 2015
Image: Paschal Collins (L) believes Spike O'Sullivan (R) is in Chris Eubank Jr's head

Gary 'Spike' O'Sullivan will use 'mind games' ahead of his WBA middleweight title eliminator against Chris Eubank Jr on December 12, according to trainer Paschal Collins.

In 1995, Eubank Jr's father Chris Eubank famously surrendered his world title and his unbeaten record to Collins' brother Steve, who had claimed in the lead-up to the bout that he was undergoing hypnotherapy and would be immune to the champion's punches.

Paschal Collins feels Eubank Jr could be vulnerable to similar psychological tactics from O'Sullivan whom he likens to MMA kingpin and fellow Irishman Conor McGregor.

Spike reminds me of Conor McGregor. Conor is very good at what he does - he gets into people's heads and their minds.
Paschal Collins

In an interview reported on irish-boxing.com, Collins said: "People talk a lot about mind games with Steve and Chris. There definitely was an element of that in the first fight.

"Eubank won most of his fights before he even stepped into the ring. He would get to people mentally with his demeanour, his entrance and all that. My brother Steve had seen it all before. He'd seen mind games all the time when he was in the States and he beat Chris at his own game.

"When I say mind games, it will play a part in Spike's success. Spike reminds me of Conor McGregor. Conor is very good at what he does - he gets into people's heads and their minds. It really affects them and bothers them and I think Spike has done the same with Chris Eubank Jr. He has been doing it for a while and it's working.

Ireland's Connor McGregor after beating Brazil's Diego Brandao in their Featherweight bout at the UFC Fight Night at the O2 in Dublin.
Image: Collins likens O'Sullivan to MMA champion Conor McGregor

"Let's get this straight; Eubank didn't request this fight - Sky and Matchroom did.

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"When it gets to the level where they are in there toe to toe in the heat of battle and the chips are down I think Spike will have that extra hardness. He has been around the game for a lot longer than Eubank Jr. Out of both fighters Spike has the power and that will play a part too."

Chris Eunank Jr v Tony Jeter
Image: Eubank Jr (L) was ruthless in stopping Tony Jeter in October

O'Sullivan (22-1-KO15) has stopped his last five opponents inside three rounds while Eubank Jr (20-1-KO15) halted American Tony Jeter on his Sky Sports debut on October 24.

The pair clash at the O2 Arena on the undercard of Anthony Joshua's British and Commonwealth heavyweight title bout with Dillian Whyte.

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