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‘He’s in this nowhere-zone where he has to start making some noise’ – Andy Lee calls on Jason Quigley to impress tomorrow

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It’s not just about returning to winning ways for Jason Quigley [21(15)-2(2)-1] in LA Thursday night, the middleweight has to look good whilst securing the W according to his coach Andy Lee.

Quigley returns to the ring for the first time since he suffered defeat to former Eamonn O’Kane defeater Tureano Johnson in July.

Getting back on track would appear to the be the main goal, but former middleweight champion Lee believes the Donegal fighter has to send out a reminder to fight fans and people in the game.

Lee wants the 28-year-old to put his name back on peoples lips and show why he was deemed such a serious middleweight contender early on in his career.

“There’s pressure on him now to look good to remind people how good he is,” Lee told Off The Ball.

“I’ve certainly said that to him, that it is important he looks good in this fight and that he puts on a dominating performance.”

Quigley returns against Abraham Cordero, an opponent Lee believes will afford him the chance to put in an eye catching performance.

“I don’t think he’ll pose much of a threat to Jason technically,” suggested the Limerick man. “Jason can win the fight, easy, but it is about how he goes about doing it.

“If he can reproduce what he does in the gym, doesn’t have any performance anxiety, then he should stop Cordero or at least dominate him in every round.”

Lee has been working with Quigley since he left the Ingle Gym and Dominic Ingle earlier this year. The former Emmanuel Steward and and Adam Booth trained fighter has been full of praise for the Donegal operators talent and effort since the link up – and recently claimed Quigley two or three good wins away from the big fights.

However, Lee is well aware Quigley can’t afford another slip up, particularly tomorrow and isn’t afraid to say it how it is to the World Championship silver medal winner.

“He’s 28-years-old and 17 fights into his career he’s not a prospect anymore.

“He’s in this nowhere-zone where he has to start making some noise about himself and get people excited about him – put his name up there with the contenders of the division.

“Because he hasn’t got too much longer left, and the next year is very important to Jason.

“He needs to push on for a title because if not he will just drift off and become … someone who had potential, but didn’t make it.”

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Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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