JASON QUIGLEY returns to action for the second time in 2019 on Thursday night when he faces the rugged Tureano Johnson at Fantasy Springs.
Quigley fights at the Indio resort for the seventh time as he defends his NABF middleweight title against the 35-year-old Bahamian.
Quigley is unbeaten in 16 pro fights and looks to protect that flawless record this week.
“Right now, I’m at a stage where it’s exciting and everything is starting to fall into place. I’m excited and looking forward to the journey,” Quigley told Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub.
“Confidence comes from preparation. You have an exam to do and you have done all the study, so you’re ready to rock and roll. You’re ready for all the questions because you’ve revised everything. I’ve got all my preparation done.
“You have to get in there confident. I’m in there to win.”
Having flown to Los Angeles from his Sheffield base recently to meet with Golden Boy Promotions, who have big plans for the three-time European gold medallist, Quigley has a roadmap ahead for the next steps in his quest to become a champion.
He said: “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.”
Quigley won the NABF strap for the first time in March 2017 when he defeated Glen Tapia and he made a successful defence of the belt in October, beating Freddy Hernandez.
The former Finn Valley ABC amateur star is now ranked by three of world boxing’s governing bodies, at number five by the WBC, number 8 by the WBA and now, for the first time, he appears in the IBF listings, at 14.
He said: “It’s nice to be in the rankings and it’s a good confidence booster. It is a bit of an achievement to get into the rankings.
“For me, I don’t look at them because I have my own goals of where I want to get to. My focus is all about fight-by-fight and the rankings can change massively in one fight. I don’t plant myself or my ambitions on rankings, although it’s nice to be highly ranked and rated.”
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