JASON QUIGLEY says he could be within three fights of a shot at a world title.
By Chris McNulty at Fantasy Springs Resort & Casino
The Ballybofey man (16-0, 12KOs) defends his NABF middleweight title and puts his unblemished professional record on the line on Thursday when he faces Tureano Johnson in the piecing heat of the California desert.
Last year, Quigley was in talks to face Ryota Murata for the WBA middleweight title only for the sanctioning body to order Murata face mandatory challenger Rob Brant.
Those moments showed Quigley how quickly the possibilities can open up – and close.
Following a successful NABF defence against Freddy Hernandez in October and a second round distraction of Mathias Eklund in London, Quigley can see his future more clearly now.
“I was in LA recently and met with Golden Boy Promotions and we have a three-or-four-fight plan now to get to a world title,” Quigley said.
“I’m on an amazing journey and to be possibly three fights away from a world title fight is so exciting things for everyone following me.
“Every professional boxer wants their hands on a belt. It’s brilliant to have a belt, but I’m searching and driving for world title belts.”
The key players within Golden Boy’s high ranks – President Oscar De La Hoya, Vice President Eric Gomez and the matchmaker Robert Diaz – are all keen for Quigley to become their next big star.
As an amateur standout, Quigley was ranked number one in the world in 2013.
The Ballybofey man said: “I’m very excited where I’m going. I’m coming near the pinnacle of my career and this is the exciting part of it.
“I’m moving forward and progressing. I’m ready for action again. I’m excited now to get my title chase up and running.”
Quigley is heading into his fourth fight under the tutelage of Dominic Ingle and is now ranked by three of the sanctioning bodes WBC (5), WBA (8) and IBF (14).
“It’s always exciting when there’s a belt on the line,” Quigley said.
“The belt is like a piece of furniture in the house and no-one will take it away easy. These are stepping stones to where I want to get and these are the belts that will help me get the one I really want.”
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