WBO International Super-middleweight title: Edgar Berlanga (20-0) v Jason Quigley (20-2) (Saturday, Theatre at Madison Square Garden, live on ESPN)
WHEN you get to this level in the super-middleweight division, winning means the possibility of fighting a superstar like a ‘Canelo’ or a ‘Triple G’ is real and with that comes a world title shot and the pay-day of every fighters’ dreams.
So victory, titles and riches (not necessarily in that order) are what’s at stake for Donegal’s Quigley at ‘The Garden’ and what a story it would be if he can pull off the win few expect and take Berlanga’s place in the pecking order.
Last time he was at this level it just didn’t happen for Quigley who was a rabbit-in-the-headlights and lasted only a couple of rounds with Demtrius Andrade.
That was in Andrade’s New England backyard and once again Quigley is the away fighter and the underdog against Bronx native Berlanga. He questioned his future after that loss to Andrade and almost quit for good but time is a great healer.
How could he end a career that had promised so much on such a sour note? So he has gambled again and will roll the dice against an unbeaten, confident home-town favourite who has 16 stoppage wins in 20 fights. However, Berlanga has been taken the distance in his last four and hasn’t fought in over a year - Quigley sees chinks in his armour and he’s determined to exploit them.
“I back myself all the way,” he said.
“The training that I have done, the stuff that we’ve been through, come through, progressed from; I know I am the better man.
“Edgar is a great fighter, I’ve come here to win, and that’s going to make it a great fight. But I am the man, I’m here to progress my career and my life.”
Another obvious plus for Quigley this time around is having Andy Lee in his corner. Lee was absent for the Andrade fight and his calming influence and tactical nous was definitely missed on the night.
“I’ve been the underdog my whole career and even as an amateur, we’ve been going into the Lion’s Den since day one,” Quigley added.
“I’ve handled hostile environments, it’s nothing to concern me and I have so much belief in myself, my team, the work we have done, I know what can come from winning this fight and that’s what excites me.
“The only thing in my head is Edgar, not any other fighter, it’s just him and Saturday night.”
There must be doubts in Berlanga’s head. At his best he has ferocious power in both hands but he has been inactive since June last year, his last performance was unconvincing and he has a new team around him these days.
“It’s a big night on Saturday,” he said.
“It’s been a year lay-off, we’re home with a new promoter, and I am ready to perform.
“I don’t put too much pressure on myself, other people are trying to say Jason is an easy fight, but I know it’s a difficult fight, we’ve prepared well for that, he’s not going to stand in the middle of the ring, we’ve been prepping well for him, I have a lot of respect for him and his team, but we’re going to handle business.
“I feel great, I’m ready to go. For me there are bigger fish out there, the GGGs, the Charlo’s, these are the guys I want to get in the ring with, I feel I am ready and seasoned to get in with them, but I must beat the shit out of Jason Quigley this weekend, that’s what it is.”
