Irish Daily Star - Inside Sport
Quigley can take on the world again
IT HAS been a long 16 months, but Jason Quigley is ready for his ring return.
The Donegal man (19-2, 14KOs) ends his boxing hiatus tonight when he headlines at The National Stadium.
Quigley fights in Ireland for the first time as a pro when he meets Hungarian Gabor Gorbics (26-363).
Quigley’s last bout was defeat by the destructive Demetrius Andrade for the WBO world middleweight title in November, 2021.
A broken jaw compounded his woe and he spent 2022 contemplating his next move.
Quigley marries April McManus later this month.
The temptation to quit the sport would’ve been understandable to many, but the 31-year-old has unfinished business.
World
“I know that I am world level,” Quigley said. “I know that’s where I belong. I will be back among that crop of world champions again.”
A second round stoppage and a broken jaw in defeat to Andrade left Quigley frustrated.
“I didn’t get a chance to show that to myself or to anyone in the last fight,” he said.
Quigley, coached by former world champion Andy Lee. When he saw a path back to the top of the sport, he was ready for the graft again.
Pro boxing in Ireland has been on the ropes for some time, but with Quigley, Michael Conlan and Katie Taylor all headlining shows in the coming weeks, the signs are promising again.
Quigley’s management, Sheer Sports, have teamed up with Barry Walsh of Elite Sports Promotions to put on tonight’s card.
The 31-year-old said: “Professional boxing has been struggling in Ireland and I want to leave it in a better place when I do leave it behind — but there are plenty of chapters still there for me.
“I had to be patient. Losses will either make or break you. It won’t break me. It’ll make me and you’ll see the start of this tonight.”