Yoga, visualisation and loud music: Gary Cully's recipe for success

In the office of Unit 3 gym in Naas, Gary Cully sits with his tattooed hands wrapped around a mug of tea.

He leans back in his chair and relaxes, as his coach, Niall Barrett scrolls meticulously through a list of potential opponents for his upcoming fight.

It's a balancing act between finding someone big enough to fill the card and creating an exciting matchup that will sell tickets.

A few weeks later, the stage is set for Cully’s contest with Jose Felix Jr, a 15-year veteran of the sport.

"I know I’ve put in some big performances," Cully laughs. "But it’s going to be the best performance of my career so far. I’m going to have fun doing it, I’m going to enjoy every second of it. Yeah, it’s going to be a show."

The six-year-pro has had some big performances in the last year, most notably his 35-second knockout of Jaouad Belmehdi in October 2022, while his most recent contest ended in a second-round knockout in February, which saw Cully pick up the WBA Lightweight Intercontinental belt.

As he danced around the ring, the bright fuschia trim of his shorts bounced, shorts that were specially designed for the boxer.

'The Diva’, as Cully goes by, has cemented his reputation as a flamboyant showman in recent fights, and he has been drawn to the "razzle dazzle" of show business since a young age.

"I believe that I’m one for under the lights," said Cully. "I put on the performances when it’s the biggest pressure and the biggest lights, that’s when I really put on the big performances."

Cully takes his unblemished 16-0 professional record into Saturday's bout, hoping to send a message to the lightweight division with a stoppage victory.

While a showstopping performance is the priority, he plans to take it all in during his ring walk in the