What does it take to be a champion? What does it take to remain a champion? Beyond the physical strain and pain that a boxer must face when he steps into a ring for twelve rounds, an even greater battle rages in his own mind against the negative demons that face any person under pressure. Spike: The Mind of a Warrior explores the mind of WBO International Champion Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan in the build up to one of the most important fights of his career.

We sit down with Spike’s manager and trainer Paschal Collins who explains his origins and his reasons for establishing Celtic Warriors Boxing Gym in Dublin. Paschal describes Spike’s rare strength and the required intelligence he has to be a great fighter. We learn from Spike about how he got interested in boxing, and how he came to realise the strength and abilities that he had when ended someone’s career in a fight at fifteen.

Despite his successful streak of sixteen wins, including ten knockouts, Spike must work harder than ever to defeat Beijing Olympic Bronze Medallist Billy Joe Saunders. We get to witness the gruelling training regime that Spike undergoes daily in the weeks leading up to a fight where the crowd, the referee, and the judges are all expected to be against him. This documentary explores the psychological training that allows a fighter to remain composed under such odds and focus on his ultimate goal of being champion of the world.

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Behind the Scenes

Principal photography took place in June and July 2013. Spike was primarily filmed in 4K on a RED Scarlet-X cinema camera, with some shots filmed using Canon DSLRs and GoPro Hero 2's. Bright Harbour and our co-producers Red Mutt finished post-production in March 2014 and the signed an exclusive distribution deal with Hollywood based distributor Mance Media.