New York state of mind as Spike O'Sullivan fights for the middleweight world title against Erislandy Lara

Three framed photos sit proudly above the desk of Paschal Collins in the office of his Celtic Warriors Gym in Dublin.

Two of the three are former world middleweight champions; the third has a chance to complete the set on Saturday night.

It is no surprise really that one of the men is the original Celtic Warrior, and brother of coach Collins, Steve, king of the super middleweight division in the 1990s and famous for slaying Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank, twice. Collins had won the WBO middleweight title in 1994 before going on to dominate in the heavier division.

Marvelous Marvin Hagler also earns his place on the wall, for obvious reasons, being one of the greatest and most entertaining boxers in the history of the sweet science.

Number three first laced up his gloves in the paid ranks back in 2008, and since that maiden win over six rounds against Peter Dunn, a beautiful friendship was born, as boxer and coach plotted the route to champion of the world.

The road less travelled, perhaps, taking 14 years to finally land a shot of boxing immortality, but a road that has proved high on emotion, disappointment, frustration and inevitable elation.

Gary 'Spike' O’Sullivan’s first professional fight was hosted at the Neptune Sports Arena in his hometown of Cork, and his 36th encounter will take place tonight in New York City at the Barclay’s Center.

What Katie Taylor did in Manhattan last month, O’Sullivan is looking to do in neighbouring Brooklyn tonight (around 3am Irish time) as he fights for the WBA world middleweight title against Erislandy Lara, the one-time Cuban amateur star who defected from the land of his birth, not once, but twice, eventually reaching the shores of Mexico in the back of a speedboat.

O’Sullivan’s journey may