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English super middleweight champion Paul David has delivered the verbal equivalent of a ground-and-pound on March 28 opponent Tony Quigley, assuring the Liverpool challenger that he’ll be free to fulfil his UFC dream after their 10 rounder at the Echo Arena.
“I heard Quigley’s looking to become a UFC fighter at some point; well, I’m going to make sure this is his last boxing match on March 28,” states David. “I’ll put his lights out and then he can run along to the UFC and live his dream. Boxing ain’t his thing.”
Despite boasting impressive amateur credentials and a good-looking 12-1 pro record, Quigley holds no fear in the eyes of the teak-tough David, who has seen it all before.
“He had a decent amateur record, but professional boxing is a different ball game,” explains David, 10-4 in his own career, with standout wins over Tyrone Wright, Andrew Lowe and Peter Haymer.
“I’m looking to get Quigley out of there before the sixth round. He won’t see the second half of this fight. It all depends on how he wants to get knocked out. If he wants to come hard at me, he’ll get banged out sharpish.
“If he decides to run and string it out, he might last a few rounds. Whatever happens, he’s done before the sixth.”
Labelled ‘cocky’ earlier this week by Quigley, Northampton’s David has rubbished the idea that he’s underestimating his March 28 challenger.
“I’m not underestimating him, I just know my ability and realise what’s in line for me after I knock Quigley out,” explains David.
“I’ve trained the same for this fight as I would any other and I’m not looking to take any short cuts just because I know I’ll bang Quigley out. I’m not looking past him; I just know how good I am.
“I’ve got more charisma in the ring, more style and more toughness than him. I don’t see him being a problem.”
Even the daunting prospect of facing Quigley in his home city of Liverpool doesn’t shake David’s air of unbreakable confidence.
“It doesn’t really matter where the fight is,” says the 24-year-old. “I’ve fought all over the country as the away fighter. It means nothing to me. If anything, the home crowd will just spur Quigley on to get knocked out even quicker.”
One gets the impression tougher tests lie ahead – at least in the mind of David. In fact, he’s already got his sights set on a date with the winner of the March 28 main event between British champion Brian Magee and home favourite Tony Dodson.
“That’s the main fight I want now,” admits David. “Saying things and getting them are a different story though.
“Dodson’s a bottle job, he’s been ducking and diving me for ages. He was English champion before me and gave up the title rather than fight me. He sat on his title and strung it out for about a year before the Board finally stripped him. Dodson then fights two journeymen, one in Italy and one in Sheffield, and ends up with a British title shot.
“Magee’s a veteran. I fought him early on in my career in a six-rounder. Some people said I won, others said he won. If we boxed again, it wouldn’t even be close. I’d dominate him. I’ve improved so much since those days.”
Not fussed who he faces for the prestigious Lonsdale title, David expects Magee to hang on to his belt come March 28.
“I think Magee will just know a little too much for Dodson,” he says. “When the going gets tough, Magee will remain standing. Dodson will give it a go in front of his home fans, but after the third round he’ll be looking for a way out. That’s the way I see it.”
Paul David’s English title contest with Tony Quigley forms part of the undercard to Hayemaker 6: ‘The Mersey Beatdown’ at the Echo Arena, Liverpool, on March 28.
Headlining the show will be local lad Tony Dodson’s attempt to win back his old British title from Brian Magee, as well as Ryan Rhodes’ British title defence against Anthony Small.
To purchase tickets to Hayemaker 6: ‘The Mersey Beatdown’ visit www.accliverpool.com or call 0844 8000 400.
