Middleweight contender Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan has apparently received words of advice for his upcoming fight, from former two division world champion Billy Joe Saunders.

On Saturday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, O'Sullivan will challenge Cuban veteran Erislandy Lara for the vacant WBA "regular" middleweight title.

Their fight will serve as the Showtime Pay-Per-View co-feature to the lightweight grudge fight between Gervonta Davis and Rolando Romero.

Despite being 39 years of age and certainly beyond his best years, Lara is still a tremendous favorite to defeat O'Sullivan, who traditionally loses every time he steps up in class.

The 37-year-old Irish fighter is coming off a stay busy and wants to keep the momentum going.

He lost a twelve round decision to Saunders back in 2013, but has since become friends with his former foe.

And he believes that friendship will help him against Lara.

“I’ll draw on my experience of fighting Billy Joe Saunders,” O’Sullivan tells Irish-boxing.com.

“Billy is one of the best southpaws ever from the UK. I sparred many rounds with Billy and I actually spoke with him at length about this particular fight. We have spoken a number of times and he’s given me tips. He’s always supported me. I’ll draw on my experience of sparring and fighting Billy Joe.

“[Lara] has been referred to as one of the greatest fighters of all time. He has been a great champion and it’s an honor to share the ring with him,"