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Former British super-middleweight champion Tony Dodson will now have to defeat a ‘friend’ in order to lift his old crown, following the withdrawal of Brian Magee from their March 28 dust-up.
Due to Magee’s back injury, Dodson now locks horns with Merseyside rival Tony Quigley, a man he’d been helping prepare for his own bout on March 28.
“I’d been giving Quigley tips on how to beat Paul David, the English champion, the guy he was originally supposed to be fighting on March 28,” explains Dodson. “Quigley’s a mate of mine and I wanted to see him win that fight. I wanted to see him lift the English title and then set up a fight with me.”
Middleman cut out, Dodson and Quigley now get it on together earlier than either expected. At the Echo Arena, Liverpool, Dodson and Quigley will contest the vacant British title over 12 rounds.
Their friendship has been temporarily placed on hold.
“I’ve got a job to do and I’m going to do it,” states Dodson. “I don’t care who it is in front of me, I need that British title back.
“The closer the fight gets, the more Quigley becomes my enemy. He’s trying to take something from me and I can’t let him. He’ll feel exactly the same way about me. It’s just business at the end of the day.”
Although disapointed to learn of Magee’s injury, Dodson was quickly bouyed by news of Quigley’s emergence as a possible replacement.
“I’ve been the ‘cock’ of Liverpool for the last 10 years and it’s about time someone else stepped up to the plate and gave me a challenge,” explains Dodson. “Quigley is that man. I’ve now got to prove why I’ve been Liverpool’s number one for so long. It’s going to be a painful lesson for Quigley.”
Even though Dodson has stayed in-the-loop with Quigley’s progress ahead of their March 28 date, the Liverpool super-middle doesn’t expect any awkwardness when they stare across the ring at one another.
“I don’t think it will be awkward at all,” he says. “To be honest, I’ve already spoken to Tony on the phone about it. We’ve agreed that business is business and that nothing will stop us being friends at the end of it.
“This doesn’t need any bigging up or bad-mouthing from either of us. The people of Liverpool know this is a genuine fight between two of their own. He’s a good fighter, I’m a good fighter and all I can say is sit back and enjoy.”
Given his close relationship with Quigley, Dodson isn’t about to take his local rival lightly. He knows what the younger man can produce.
“He’s got snappy hands, good speed and has all the talent,” assesses Dodson. “He’s got good amateur pedigree and plenty of ability. The thing is, he’s never been over six rounds and he’s never been in with anyone as good as me.
“Mark my words, though, Quigley is no pushover. He’s a terrific fighter on his night and has a lot of natural talent.”
Dodson expects Quigley to “grab his chance with both hands” given the circumstances. Nevertheless, Dodson isn’t without motivation of his own.
“I am in the greatest shape of my life right now,” he boasts. “It’s going to be my night on March 28. Once I step through those ropes at the Echo Arena, the idea of friendship will be completely out of my mind. I’ll be staring across the ring at someone who is looking to take my British title.
“I don’t just want to beat Quigley on March 28, I want to win well and look fantastic doing it. That’s what I’m hoping for.”
