‘I think it’s a brave move’ – Jason Quigley responds to Luke Keeler call out

Jason Quigley [18(14)-1(1)] can see the appeal, but doesn’t think a fight with Luke Keeler [17(5)-3(2)-1] will happen.

Recent world title challenger Keeler suggested a bout between Ireland’s leading middleweight’s in a recent interview with Irish-boxing.com.

The Ballyfermot 160lbs fighter suggested a pathway had opened up for the former amateur foes to get it on in the pros, surmising the current pandemic may prevent them for trading leather with the kind of noteworthy foreign opposition that would help either secure a world title shot. As a result, Keeler feels they could use each other.

Golden Boy’s Quigley disagrees somewhat. The Donegal fighter doesn’t dismiss a fight that might propel him toward a world title shot, but believes there are more feasible routes.

The Andy Lee-trained middle believes any Dublin-Donegal meeting would be wasted if it wasn’t in the 3Arena and on a big TV show. With MTK not operating in Dublin at present, Quigley suggests he may be better off fighting Jack Cullen, as previously planned, and then chasing down former Dennis Hogan and Spike O’Sullivan foe Jaime Munguia.

According the World Championships silver medal winner, the Mexican’s links to Golden Boy make that an easy fight to get on and Munguia’s standing does help with regard moving toward a world title shot.

“I think it would be a massive fight in Ireland,” Quigley begins when speaking to Irish-boxing.com.

“It’s one the fans would love to see and would need a big arena and TV. If it was to happen we need this one open to the fans the public the atmosphere would be something else.

“It’s a fight that should be done in Ireland and should be done when the public are allowed to fill a venue like the 3Arena.

“With Luke being with the stable he is with, it doesn’t look like it would be held in Ireland unfortunately.”

Belfast may still be an option with regard to a large venue, but Quigley seems adamant it’s a fight for Dublin.

Not mention by the time boxing behind closed doors is a thing of the past, the Sheer Sports managed fighter believes he could have Munguia well within his sites.

“Myself and my team are still confident the Cullen fight will happen very soon in the UK. And also me being with Golden Boy, the Mungia fight could also be right around the corner, so I’m not sure Luke even fits into the plan me and my team have on the way to becoming world champion”

The 28-year-old might not be able to fit Keeler into his world title pursuing plans, but he can see why the Dubliner is open to the fight.

“After his defeat against Andrade he needs a good name to come back against,” he responds when asked if he was surprised Keeler name dropped him.

“Luke can’t afford to get in a toss up with the likes of [Steven] Donnelly or [Danny] Dignum, which I think will be his next fight because of the stable he is with, don’t get me wrong it would be a massive Irish fight.”

Not only does he believe it would be massive, he believes it’s a fight he would win.

“Fair play to Luke calling me out, I think it’s a brave move by him and I think it would be a great fight, but I believe there would only be one winner – and that’s me.”