JASON Quigley says it will be back to business when he takes on Freddy Hernandez at Fantasy Springs in the early hours of Friday morning.
Quigley (14-0, 11KOs) will defend the NABF middleweight title he won last year when he takes to the ring in Indio, California.
He broke his hand when winning that belt against Glen Tapia, and has only fought once since against Daniel Rosario Cruz back in March.
However, the Ballybofey man is ready to get things back on track this week when he squares off against Hernandez.
“I’m labelling this fight as back to business.
“You know with my last fight I had been out for a long time and it was just about getting back in the ring.
“I got through that and my injury is well and truly gone now, and it’s time to get to work again.
“It’s about getting back to business, climbing the ladder, and working towards getting a World Title fight.”
It’s coming up on seven months since Quigley last fought, and he almost secured a high-profile fight during that time.
Quigley was in negotiations to take on Ryota Murata – who was a Gold medallist at the 2012 Olympic Games – in the Japanese puncher’s defence of his secondary middleweight belt. However, the fight never materialised.
“Yeah, it was disappointing, but this is what happens in boxing. You’re talking about big money, big titles, and big venues, and there is a lot of stuff to be worked through.
“We were a bit surprised that the opportunity of a World Title fight came up. It was a bit unexpected at this stage in my career.
“But we took it on, and I was ready to become a World Champion a little earlier than expected.
“Myself and my team did everything we could to make it happen, but the fault lay with Murata’s team Top Rank, who overlooked a few things.
“I was booked to fly out to Tokyo and everything, but it all just fell apart.
“That was disappointing, but it was still a great experience to be in negotiating for a World Title fight.
“I wouldn’t look at it as as setback. Yes I probably missed out on a fight because I didn’t get one in August then. But it has put my name in the mix.
“It’s back to business now and I’m looking forward to fighting on October 18.”
27-year-old Quigley relocated from America to Sheffield at the start of the year and he is enjoying life under the guidance of revered trainer Dominic Ingle.
“I’ve been over in Sheffield now since January and I spend 70 to 80% of my time over here.
“I get home every second or third weekend to see my girlfriend and the family, and obviously it’s a lot handier and less expensive for them to come out and see me.
“It’s worked out very well for me and the training has been very good with Dominic and his brother John, and I feel like everything is coming together nicely.”
Quigley was in Toronto last week getting ready for the fight with Hernandez, and there is a different dynamic to this contest as he has a belt to defend.
“This is a little more personal this time. It isn’t just a man trying to come in and beat me – he’s trying to come in and take some something off me that’s mine.
“As people know, I worked hard to get this belt and I had to fight through a broken hand to win it.
“So God help the man that’s going to come into the ring and try and take it off me.”
Quigley-Hernandez will be the main event of the Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN card from Fantasy Spring. The fight will be shown live on eir Sport.
Hernandez (34-9, 22KOs) is an 18-year veteran who has fought several top-five rated fighters and champions including Erislandy Lara, Andre Berto and Demetrius Andrade during his career.
The Mexican last fought in December when he lost out to the Freddy Roach-coached Wale Omotoso.
Quigley is confident of victory, but says he will be in for a stern test.
“I’m up against a very good opponent with a lot of experience.
“He’s been to levels that I haven’t been before. He’s fought for a World Title, and taken on two or three World Champions before.
“He’s got nothing to lose coming into it, and he’s going to use all of his experience to try and get the win.
“It’s going to be a big test for me, but hopefully I can use it to learn, and grow, and get that big fight experience that will stand to me as I work my way to becoming World Champion.”
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