Gary Cully: A Phoenix Rising in the 3Arena – The Comeback Trail Begins

After a hiatus of nearly 15 months, the highly anticipated return of Kildare’s own, Gary ‘The Diva’ Cully, is set to electrify the 3Arena on March 14th. Cully, hailing from Naas, is poised to make a dramatic comeback, sharing the stage with the Jazza Dickens versus Anthony Cacace bout. With a promise of a knockout performance, Cully aims to rekindle his career and remind the boxing world of his signature flair and power.

“This is a new beginning for me,” Cully shared in a recent interview. “I’m returning to my roots, to what I do best—delivering knockouts and putting on a show.” This upcoming fight marks Cully’s first since his unanimous decision loss to Maxi Hughes in December 2024, and it signifies the longest period he has been away from the ring since he first laced up his gloves at the tender age of seven.

The time away from the ring was not merely a break for Cully. Persistent eye issues necessitated surgery, sidelining him from sparring at the end of last year. “I underwent surgery in October,” Cully explained. “I couldn’t take any impact for 6-8 weeks, which meant I had to accept that I wouldn’t be fighting in 2025. I could work on pads and bags, but that was about it.”

For Cully, this fight is more than just a return to the ring; it’s about redemption. “I need to go out there and redeem myself with a strong performance,” he stated. Reflecting on his stoppage loss to Jose Felix Jr. during his 3Arena debut in 2023, Cully admitted that it was a turning point in his career. “That fight was the lowest point for me. It took a lot of confidence out of me, and I haven’t really performed since then. It took a long time to get over it.”

The love for the sport that had once defined him began to wane, and doubts crept in. For the first time, Cully considered walking away from the dream he had pursued since childhood. “Over the past three years, I’ve had moments where I thought about quitting,” he admitted. “Things weren’t going the way I wanted, and I lost the joy I once had in boxing.”

However, with renewed motivation and resilience, Cully is ready to rebuild. He feels sharper and more focused, drawing inspiration from former opponent Maxi Hughes, whom he respects for his ability to bounce back from setbacks. “I think now is the time to…” Cully trailed off, his determination speaking volumes.

The 3Arena will witness not just a fight, but the rebirth of a fighter. Gary Cully is back, and he is ready to reclaim his place in the boxing world with a performance that promises to be nothing short of spectacular.