JASON QUIGLEY will aim to make it 13-0 when he next gets into the ring in the spring of 2017, as the Ballybofey continues his drive to the top.
Following an emphatic demolition of Jorgé Melendez at The Forum in Inglewood, California on December 17, Quigley delivered a real statement of intent.
After only 144 seconds, Quigley had Melendez grounded three times and the Puerto Rican’s corner waved the towel.
The win made it 12-from-12 for the Golden Boy Promotions middleweight, who now wants to make significant inroads next year.
“Billy Joe Saunders, Canelo, Golovkin, Danny Jacobs… these are the boys that I need to beat, so these are the boys I have my eyes on,” Quigley said in an interview with BBC Radio Foyle.
“I’m in this sport to become multiple world champion and make as much money as I can.
“My next fight will be the end of February, start of March. 2017 is going to be a massive year for Team Quigley because, for me, I just want to keep climbing the ladder.
“I want them belts. I have an end goal of being world champion. There is nothing on my mind only my next fight. That’s another hurdle on the path for me and I have to get over that hurdle.”
Quigley scored two huge wins in 2016. Having dispatched Freddy Lopez in March, the Sheer Sports-managed fighter scored an impressive decision win over the durable James De La Rosa in May.
Injury delayed his return, but his double-quick destruction of the seasoned Melendez once more outlined his credentials.
Quigley said: “On paper that was the toughest fight of my career.
“He has 39 professional fights. That man was dangerous.
“The way it panned out, I made it easy for myself. You don’t get paid for overtime in boxing. The easier you make it, the better.
“Ask 100 people how that fight would pan out, 99 per cent would have said it would be a tough ten-round decision fight.
“It’s been a great year for growing and learning and also moving in the direction I want to move –and that’s becoming world champion. I’m on that journey and I’m on that path right now.”
You can listen to Jason Quigley’s interview with Barry Whyte here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04mq0cs
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