Former amateur standout Jason Quigley of Ireland is now one of the hottest prospects in boxing. The unbeaten middleweight is 10-0(9) and on Saturday night’s Canelo Alvarez-Amir Khan card in Las Vegas, the 24-year-old will take a step up in class against the experienced James De La Rosa.
Quigley, who is signed by Golden Boy and Sheer Sports, is hugely excited about the fight and is looking forward to putting on an impressive performance.
Q: People are saying the fight with James De La Rosa is a big step up in class for you, do you agree?
Jason Quigley: “Yes of course, on paper it’s a big step up for me. People are asking, is this too soon for me? He’s been in with so many names and in comparison to me, who has had just ten pro fights, people are comparing us and are looking at him as the proven fighter. But that’s only on paper. I know exactly what I’m capable of, me and my team know. This is the perfect opportunity for me to shine. The venue is perfect, the opponent, the timing – everything. I’m here to show the world what Jason Quigley can do.”
Q: De La Rosa has boxed a number of his fights at 154-pounds and some down at welterweight. Do you feel that yourself, as the bigger, taller man will be too strong for him?
J.Q: “Whenever I get in the ring with any middleweight, or a super-middleweight coming down from 168, they will definitely feel my power and they will know what they are in with. I don’t think James has ever fought anyone who brings what I bring to the table. All the fights I’ve had – I had an extensive amateur career and I fought and beat the best in the world – I just don’t think he’s ever faced that before.”
Q: De La Rosa was, as you know, supposed to fight David Lemiuex, but the fight fell through. De La Rosa says he cannot wait to fight and has been in the gym since January. But he has not boxed since December of 2014. Does that favour you, what with the possibility of him being rusty?
J.Q: “I really don’t concentrate on my opponent; I concentrate on what I will do. It wouldn’t have mattered if he’d had ten years of training for the fight with me. I’ll be 110-percent and I’m just so excited for May 7th. These are the big stages I’ve dreamt of being on since I was a kid. This is my time now. I never overlook any opponent, but I kind of had an idea I would be fighting on the May 7th card before my last fight in March. I got a quick, 1st-round win in that fight and came out clean, with no cuts or anything, and that was great. But it’s still important to get a fight, to make weight and put the gloves on and everything. It’s okay sparring but a real fight is totally different.”
Q: You have boxed all your pro fights in the US so far, are there plans for you to fight back at home some time?
J.Q: “Of course, that’s the dream I’m aiming for. I came over here to learn my trade, to gain experience and become the best I possibly can. I’ve had an amazing following since my amateur career, in Ireland and in Europe. I want to thank these followers by giving them a massive fight in Ireland. Not just me fighting on an under-card, but headlining a massive fight! It’s hard for the Irish fans to follow me now, with me boxing on the west coast of America. So I definitely want to give back with a massive fight in Ireland.”
Q: You had an incredible amateur career, winning so many honours. Has your pro career gone perfectly so far? Has anyone really tested you?
J.Q: “The main tests I’ve had have been in the gym, in sparring. My first few pro fights were just getting used to everything. The two sports, amateur and professional boxing really are two different sports. But now I’m really seeing big improvements in myself. Over the last six months, I’ve really been settling down on my punches, I’ve been developing. At pro level, it’s all about making your shots count. In the amateurs you throw non-stop punches each round, if you did that as a pro you’d be hanging over the top rope by round-six (laughs).”
Q: And who are some of the big names you have sparred over there?
J.Q: “I’ve sparred David Lemiuex, Gilberto Ramirez, the new [WBO] super-middleweight champion; he massive. Matthew Macklin came over, and [Jorge] Sebastian Heiland, who beat Matthew. I’ve sparred Shane Mosley. And money can’t buy these type of things. I’m going to the gym now and I’ll be sparring Jose Benavides, a former (interim WBA) world champion at 140-pounds, who is 24-0. And over here, things like that are just a normal day in the gym. This is why I moved over here, you cannot get this stuff at home. Just to be in the ring with these guys, to learn from them, to be in their presence. They are just normal people buy they work their arses off. I’ve done that my whole life.”
Q: How do you see the Khan-Canelo Alvarez main event going on May 7th?
J.Q: “I think Khan will definitely give Canelo problems because he is the faster man. The weight is sure to come into it as well though. Khan has never been hit that hard at that weight before because he’s never fought at that weight before. And it’s not as if Khan isn’t going in with a puncher, he is. Early on, I think Khan will give Canelo problems with his speed but Canelo will come on in the later rounds, wear him down and maybe get a late stoppage. That’s my prediction.”
Q: A win over De La Rosa would be big for you. What then?
J.Q: “I think this is the beginning of the rise of Jason Quigley. It’s my first step up on paper and I’ll prove to everyone what Jason Quigley is here for. This is a good chance for De La Rosa to come back and make a name for himself again. But I will never let any man make a name off me. I’ve worked too hard and I’ve sacrificed too much. No man will ever get in that ring with me and not have to fight harder than he’s ever had to before. This is my time.”
