Jason Quigley boxed eight rounds with the full use of only one hand on his way to a win over Glen Tapia that secured the NABF middleweight title.
By Chris McNulty at Fantasy Springs, Indio
But Quigley left with the belt around his left shoulder.
“This is something very hard to believe for a wee man from Donegal,” Quigley told Donegal Daily.
“This is the real deal now. This is a significant belt and I’m a very proud man to take this belt back to the hills of Donegal.
“This is a dream for me. This doesn’t feel real.”
Quigley sensed a knockout in the early rounds, when he was well in command, but the damaged right hand left him unable to land the killer blow.
He said: “I hit the hand in the second round and I wasn’t able to use it.
“Everything I hit him with, he was wobbling. I thought it was only a matter of time, but he’s a tough boy. I was tagging him with everything and his eyes were dazed.
“There is a lot to work on. It wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t a ten out of ten. I’d rate myself six-and-a-half, but I’m here with a belt and a victory. That’s what matters.”
Listen to the full interview below …
