Jason Quigley has built up quite a following in California – but nothing compares to the support from home for the Ballybofey man.
FROM CHRIS MCNULTY IN LOS ANGELES
On Thursday night, at the Fantasy Springs Resort in Indio, Quigley squares up to Glen Tapia, with the NABF middleweight title up for grabs.
It’s Quigley’s first shot at a pro belt and his first headline fight, as the bout is the main event on the ‘Golden Boy on ESPN’ card.
Quigley donned a Donegal GAA jersey for his media workout last week at the Iron Gym in Santa Monica and Donegal is never too far from his thoughts.
“There is support for me all over the world, but there is no support like that from home in Donegal,” Quigley said.
“I’ve become such a proud Donegal man. I’m so privileged to come from Donegal.
“We’re good, decent, honourable people back home. I’ve realised that now.
“A lot of people can come to LA and see fake people, who are out to get you and who are out for themselves. I’m very comforted to know I have the support of so many genuine people.
“The pride and passion that Donegal people have for someone trying to go out and do well…we always get behind our own people.
“The support I have is unbelievable. These things mean the world to me.”
It is almost three years now since Quigley upped sticks and swapped Ballybofey for California and, at times, he still pines for home.
Quigley said: “I’m so far away from home, you can get lonely and homesick, but you feel this. Once you hear from people supporting you and wishing you well, it gives you an extra lift. It really does.”
Quigley will again be backed by a big crowd at Fantasy Springs – where he has won four of his 12 fights so far.
Among those who have made the trip are his good friend Conor Scanlon, from Navenny Street in Ballybofey, while another school pal, Kevin Gillespie, lives with Quigley in LA and works with Sheer Sports Management at Iron Gym.
Quigley added: “When it comes to the stage where you have the hard eight or ten weeks done and you come to the fight and see the familiar faces and hear the familiar accents, it gives you a lift.”