Middleweight contender Gary 'Spike' O'Sullivan (27-2, 19 KOs) is hoping to secure a major fight in the fall.

He returns to the ring on Friday night, as part of a Golden Boy on ESPN card at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.

Initially, he was being pursued to fight IBF, WBA, WBC, IBO middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin a day later, on May 5th, in an HBO televised main event - which takes place at the same venue.

O'Sullivan took a pass on the Golovkin opportunity when the money changed.

Initially he was due to face Golovkin in pay-per-view in Las Vegas - but then the contest was switched to regular HBO and the StubHub Center - which in turn dropped the money being offered for the title bout.

O'Sullivan was then told by his coach, Paschal Collins,that Golden Boy Promotions was offering him a three fight deal.

He picked the Golden Boy deal, and Golovkin finalized a bout with Vanes Martirosyan.

"I remember when Paschal came and said to me look you can have this three-fight deal or fight Golovkin but ultimately I had to make the decision," O'Sullivan explained to Sports Joe.

"It was a hard f***ing choice. A very hard choice. It was my dream fight to fight Golovkin and I've dreamed of fighting for world titles ever since I was a young kid. I've got young kids now myself and I know for their future that this is the better option for me."

A few years ago, O'Sullivan was pretty much outboxed over twelve rounds by current WBO middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders.

In comparing the two champions of the division, O'Sullivan is far more confident of beating Golovkin.

"Personally, I believe that Billy Joe Saunders is worse to fight stylistically than Golovkin. I'd fancy my chances against Golovkin far more than I would against Billy Joe Saunders," O'Sullivan said.

"I'd trade with him. He's never been knocked down or knocked out, neither have I, but I have got the power to knock anyone out. I think a lot of people fear him. They beat themselves before they even get in the ring; the Mike Tyson factor. I'd be excited at the opportunity to fight him. I'd relish the occasion."