JASON Quigley landed the biggest win of his career to defeat Shane Mosley Jr and land the NABO middleweight title.
Quigley had been to hell and back to get to this point and the Ballybofey man had to reach deep into his reservoir in a real rugged, ragged war in Las Vegas.
When David Diamante announced him as the majority decision winner, Quigley dropped to his knees in the ring – the meaning of this was certainly not lost.
One judge scored it a 95-95 draw with the other cards 97-93 and 96-94 in Quigley’s favour.
May 28, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada; Jason Quigley and Shane Mosley Jr face off after weighing in for the Matchroom boxing card taking place this Saturday, May 29, 2021 at Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom.
“That was a lot of relief,” a delighted Quigley, whose record improves to 19-1, beamed.
“I’ve been through a hell of a lot to get here.
“Ive been through so much to even get to Vegas. Nobody knows war goes into a training camp.”
Quigley promised a new and better version of himself for a crossroads fight against fellow Golden Boy puncher Mosley Jr.
In his first fight since January 2020, Quigley – who walked out to What’s Left Of The Flag by Flogging Molly – answered any questions about his gas as he upped the ante in the later rounds.
May 28, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada; Jason Quigley and Shane Mosley Jr face off after weighing in for the Matchroom boxing card taking place this Saturday, May 29, 2021 at Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom.
Mosley Jr added some damage to a black eye in the first round and he landed a good fourth round. The Nevada puncher had command of some of the early rounds, but Quigley made a significant dent in the sixth – and it was he who had the better of the exchanges down the straight.
Mosley began well, but in the sixth round Quigley had his best verse so far. As he lifted from the stool for the seventh on his toes, it was a clear indication that he was ready for more. The mercury lifted at the end of the seventh as Quigley landed a massive right.
Quigley, by now, was landing the cleaner shots, although both scored big power blows at the start of the ninth.
In a furious finale, Mosley Jr was halted by a series of Quigley rights before responding with a volley of his own.
May 28, 2021; Las Vegas, Nevada; Jason Quigley and Shane Mosley Jr face off after weighing in for the Matchroom boxing card taking place this Saturday, May 29, 2021 at Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom.
As the end drew near, Quigley dug deep once again and took a significant win.
He said: “I want to give massive credit to Shane Mosley Jr for that fight. I know it could have gone either way.”
Wayne McCullough stepped into the breach with Quigley’s coach Andy Lee unable to travel due to a Visa issue.
The former WBC bantamweight campion, now based in America, remarked in the week how he had been instantly impressed by Quigley’s power.
Quigley was back in action after a long 16-month lay-off, his last bout a win over Fernando Marin in California last January.
Jason Quigley and team Pictture: Melina Pizano/Matchroom.
A frustrating year-and-a-bit tested Quigley’s resolve with a series of prospective fights falling by the wayside, including this meeting with Mosley, which had two dates shelved earlier this year.
Mosley, for his part, had wins over Jeremy Ramos and Cristian Olivas during the same time. In February, a damaged right eye prevented Olivas from getting off the stool after the fifth round.
In March 2017, Quigley won the first belt of his professional career, defeating the durable Glen Tapia for the NABF middleweight title.
An injury to his right hand, sustained in the second round of that bout, kept him out for a year, halting his progress and delaying his hopes of a world title tilt.
A successful defence against Freddy Hernandez followed, but defeat to Tureano Johnson rocked Quigley back on his heels in July 2019.
Having switched across the Atlantic in the wake of the Tapia win in 2017, Quigley moved closer to home and linked up with Lee after his first professional loss almost two years ago.
Now, a whole new world is before them.
