Gary Cully admits to getting 'caught up in his own hype' before of his KO defeat to Jose Felix but vows to right his wrong on the undercard of Chantelle Cameron's rematch with Katie Taylor

Gary Cully says losing to Jose Felix was one of the hardest moments of his life and admits he got caught up in his ‘own hype’ after returning home to Ireland to face the Mexican in May. 

Things didn’t go according to plan for Cully last time out. He was knocked out by Felix in the third round of their bout on the undercard of Katie Taylor‘s first fight with Chantelle Cameron.

Cully was mortified with the result and says he let the occasion of fighting at home in Dublin get to him – revealing he was more focused on the after party than the fight itself. 

However, Cully is looking to right his wrong during this weekend’s make-or-break clash with Reece Mould on the undercard of Cameron’s undisputed Super-Lightweight World Title rematch with Taylor at the 3Arena. 

Speaking about his first fight against Felix, Cully said: ‘Something wasn’t quite right with me. I didn’t really know it at the time, but my mind wasn’t fully focused. Everything was just planned for the party afterwards, the celebrations and reflecting on what a week and what a show it had been. I took my eye off having a fight in front of me.

Gary Cully says losing to Jose Felix was one of the hardest moments of his life and admits he got caught up in his ‘own hype’ after returning home to Ireland to face the Mexican in May

Cully is looking to right his wrong during this weekend’s make-or-break clash with Reece Mould on the undercard of Cameron’s undisputed Super-Lightweight World Title rematch with Taylor

‘Probably being back in Dublin and back in Ireland I fell into that trap as well of The Diva Gary Cully – Gary is the guy and Gary is the man. I probably fell into that trap a little bit as well and started believing my own hype a little bit.

‘I wanted to impress and thought I’d just f***ing walk through this kid. I just wasn’t fully focused, wasn’t fully focused on Jose Felix and I paid the price. This time it isn’t about a celebration or a party like last time was supposed to be.

‘I’ve been through some ups and downs in my life, but that loss was definitely the hardest. It felt like the world was ending at one point. I thought it was, but it taught me lots of lessons. I think I’ve learnt a lot from it as well. I’m looking forward to showing that this Saturday.’

Cully – who is now under the tutelage of Joe McNally – is adamant he will bounce back after his defeat last time out but admits there is an element of ‘pressure’ to show everyone in his home town what he can do. 

‘I’ve got a job ahead of me. We’re going back to Dublin which is my hometown and we’re going straight back there after coming off a loss. I’m not in the winners club right now, and I believe that’s where I’m supposed to be.

‘There’s a bit of pressure to get back into that club obviously but I’m not feeling an ounce of pressure, this is personal and this is me versus me this time around. This is about Gary Cully getting back to where I know I’m at and showing everybody what I can do.

‘When I come in here (the Rotunda) I’m just another one of the lads. Darren Till is in here training with us and he’s just Darren, he’s just another one of the lads. I’ve got the second chance and I’ve got to make it right. I’ve got to come back and show them that I am what I say I am. It’s important to me for sure.

‘Reece Mould, he’s tough and he’s game. He’s been around the block, 19 fights 18 wins. He’s only lost to Leigh Wood so he’s no mug. He knows what he’s doing and he’s going to come to win. I want to put pain on somebody and I want to put on a performance, beat somebody down and show them I’m at the level I say I’m at.’

Cully is adamant he will bounce back after his defeat last time out but admits there is an element of ‘pressure’ to show everyone in his home town what he can do