Nick Quigley’s Last Man Standing eligibility explained

Last Summer Scouse super featherweight Johnny Quigley came to Belfast to fight Jono Carroll.

A chirpy chappy, red-haired, from Liverpool, and with a name like Quigley – surely there was a bit of Irish in him? Well, seemingly not.

The English fighter admitted to Irish media that, for the reasons outlined above, that it is likely there was some green blood in him – however he knew of no direct link back to Ireland.

So, when Quigley’s older brother, middleweight Nick, was announced this afternoon for Ireland’s Last Man Standing, this naturally raised questions – especially considering part of the winner’s prize was a mandated shot at the Irish title.

However, it turns out that there is a direct link between the fighting Quigley brothers and Ireland – through a grandparent.

Following some family tree research, the Quigleys have confirmed that one of their grandfathers was born in Wexford and moved to Liverpool as a child. He would pass away at a young age, explaining Johnny’s lack of knowledge of the Irish link.

Quigley and event promoters Red Corner and Assassin however have secured birth records which confirm Quigley’s grandfather’s birthplace and prove his eligibility for the Ireland’s Last Man Standing tournament on Saturday March 3rd at the National Stadium in Dublin.

This competition requires entrants to be eligible for the Irish title – through birth, ancestry, or residency – however does not require competitiors to hold a Boxing Union of Ireland licence.

Should Quigley [15(3)-3(1)] – or indeed any boxer not currently holding a BUI licence – win the tournament next month they would be required to take out an Irish licence to be allowed fight for the Irish middleweight title. This licence would need to be held for six continuous months before the fighter is eligible to box for the green belt.

Quigley is joined in the Last Man Standing tournament by Alfredo Meli, Ger Healy, Chris Blaney, Bernard Roe, Sean McGlinchey, and Roy Sheahan – with one more fighter still to be announced.

The eight will battle it out for a split of a €59,000 prize fund – with €25,000 going to the eventual winner along with €5,000 for their amateur club.