THE EYES THE WORLD’S boxing media are on Las Vegas this weekend – and Jason Quigley is ready to attract their gaze.
The Ballybofey man heads into a middleweight contest at the T-Mobile Arena that is scheduled for ten rounds with every intention of making his most significant mark on the sport yet.
He faces experienced Mexican James de La Rosa (23-3) on the undercard of the titanic Canelo-Khan card at the 20,000-capacity Arena.
Quigley, 10-0 with nine stoppages so far as a professional, has been on big cards before.
Picture caption: Jason Quigley sparring in Los Angeles ahead of his bout with James de La Rosa in Las Vegas. Picture by Peter Politanoff, courtesy of Sheer Sports Management.
He fought his debut against Howard Reece as one of the support bouts to Canelo’s clash with Arislandy Lara at the MGM Grand in July 2014 and he defeated Fernando Najera on the undercard to the world welterweight title fight between Shawn Porter and Kell Brook that August.
This week, there’s a new glint in Quigley’s eye.
His previous ten bouts have been routine, but de La Rosa has been sent to test the man dubbed in Los Angeles ‘El Animal’.
[adrotate group=”38″]“I’m a lot more excited about this one, firstly because of the card it’s on and it’s in the capital of professional boxing,” Quigley says.
“Also, I’m fighting, on paper, my best opponent yet. It’s a great opportunity and there’s a lot of excitement about this.
“These are the fights that excite you. These are the ones that I need. I know if I win this I’ll plough on up a level.”
Quigley has fought twice previously in Vegas, defeating Reece in his debut and then overcoming Marchristopher Adkins last November.
On Tuesday, the Grand Arrivals for the big fight night were held at The MGM Grand.
Quigley can feel the sweet science history in Sin City. Thoughts of Tyson-Holyfield, Mayweather-Pacquiao, De La Hoya-Pacquiao and De La Hoya-Mayweather flood the mind.
It’s the very dream Quigley is chasing right now.
“This is where the greats have fought,” he says.
“This is where the greats have become greats and the legends have become legends.
[adrotate group=”58″]“This is a chance for me to show the hardcore boxing fans what I’m about. I want to get to the top. If I get to the top I’ll be in Vegas on these big cards.
“The buzz about it is brilliant and I just can’t wait to get in there. I want to headline these cards in Las Vegas.
“Instead of being a wee Paddy Greenhorn, coming out of the Stadium in Dublin and being all shocked by it, it’ll be my home when I get to the top. This is the reason I came out here, to get these opportunities.”
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