‘Very Relaxed’ – Quigley not feeling pressure ahead of ‘make or break’ clash

Jason Quigley [16(12)-0] goes into the biggest night and biggest fight of his pro career completely relaxed.

The Donegal middleweight has been handed a much desired step up and could take a significant step to a world title shot with victory in Fantasy Springs California tonight.

Standing between him and serious progression is former Olympian, fringe world level operator and Eamonn O’Kane defeater Tureano Johnson [20(14)-2(2)-1].

There is a lot at stake for the 28-year-old World Championships silver medal winner – and the presence of a noted operator like Johnson should add pressure, yet the fighter seems to feel pressure free.

“I’m very relaxed coming into this fight,” said Quigley. 

“Tureano is the best fighter I’ll be in with in my career. Look at it on paper: He’s been to the Olympic Games and I haven’t; he’s a lot more experienced and he has fought at a higher level in the pro game. But I’m relaxed. I know I’m up against a brilliant fighter. 

“Tureano has been to a higher level as an amateur and a professional. Not many men have that over me. He’ll be a great opponent. He can box, he can fight and he has a lot of experience. He’s looking for a world title shot and he’ll be 110 per cent prepared.”

After paying due respect to the challenge that faces him the Dominic Ingle trained fighter also pointed out the magnitude of the fight for a fighter looking to get in the middleweight mix.  

“This is a massive fight because we’re both searching for a shot at a world title. He’s had a world title elimination fight and put up a massive fight in it. He did himself proud. We’re both at a very high level in our careers.

“Every fighter at this level, they’re all looking to become the world champion.”

“Every fighter who enters the pro game has a dream of being the world champion. That’s a dream I have. It’s a journey and a process. July 18, for now, is my world title fight. I’m excited.”

The relaxed approach seem to come from a control the controllable that was so prevalent in the High Performance Unit when Quigley was exciting as amateur.

He also holds that view with regard to securing a world title shot. The talk is the Golden Boy fighter could be three good wins away from a challenge and he is aware the only way to ensure he realizes that world title dream is to keep winning. Although he does suggest he will maintain fitness in case an out of the blue opportunity arises.

“I do all the things that I can do right. There are things that are outside of my control, but the things I can control, I do them to the best of my ability. I live a good life, a clean, healthy life,” he adds.

“You don’t know when you could be put into a mandatory position or someone gets injured. I want to be the best version of me that I can at all times. Whatever falls there at that stage, it’s just meant to be. If things arise or if an obstacle is put in front of me or a fight is put in front of me, I take them with both hands. You don’t go searching for these things. Yes, you win fights to get the mandatory contests, but how many mandatory men never got the shot at a world title?”