Demon slayer – Jason Quigley found battling doubts harder than fighting Cordero according to Andy Lee

Jason Quigley ]17(13)-1(1)] knocked out some dangerous demons as well as Abraham Cordero in LA last week, according to Andy Lee.

In fact the former middleweight champion of the world turned pro coach believes those doubts were tougher to fight than the seasoned Mexican.

Quigley went into the bout on the back of a first career defeat to Tureano Johnson – and it seems putting the emotional and mental problems caused by such a set back behind him was as difficult and important as winning the more literal fight.

Having lost at the exact same period in his career – 15 fights and on the verge of a breakthrough – Lee understood what his new charge was going through emotionally and was delighted to see Quigley overcome.

“It’s good on a number of levels,” he told Highland Radio directly after the fight.

“I think he had to exercise a lot of demons tonight. I think that was more of fight, the internal fight, than the fight he had to go through in the ring. He was slightly hesitant and I know from my own experience of coming back after a loss, things you would do instinctively you start to second guess yourself.”

In terms of the fight with the 24-year old Mexican, respected pundit and now coach, Lee was happy to see the Donegal fighter register a stoppage win. Lee, who has been extremely honest and forthright in his role as a coach, suggested he may have preferred a cleaner finish, but understands months of pain may taken over when Quigley smelled blood.

“It was a good finish, he rushed it a little bit, he could have been more composed, but that was a release. You could see those months of frustration, depression probably, sadness and anger at himself coming out. It was a good win against an experienced and seasoned opponent who doesn’t get stopped.”

The win puts the 28-year-old back in the next level picture and Lee, who muted possible fights with Dennis Hogan and Spike O’Sullivan previously, believes Quigley will be further improved when he next appears.

“It’s only the first fight there will be bigger challenges ahead and bigger improvements in how Jason fights.”