‘Rumble In The Hills’: Quigley determined to make pro shows a regular thing in Donegal

Former world middleweight title challenger Jason Quigley says this weekend’s Rumble In The Hills, Rising Stars card in Letterkenny could be the start of regular shows in the county.

Quigley, of Sheer Sports Management and in association with Donegal County Council, is running a star-studded card this Saturday night at the Aura Leisure Complex.

A total of nine undefeated professional prospects feature on the card.

“Pro boxing is always known for being in Belfast, Dublin and further afield in the UK or America,” said Ballybofey’s Quigley, who fought for the WBO world middleweight strap in 2021, losing out to Demetrius Andrade.

“It was always a thing that you had to travel far and wide to get your hands on, but a passion now I have now is to grow it here in Donegal. It will let young eyes see what’s available and what is possible in the sport of boxing.”

Quigley moved to Los Angeles after ditching the amateur vest in 2014, signing with Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions.

Now, he wants to bring regular action to the doorstep of Donegal.

He said: “We want to grow this in Donegal and in Ireland. A lot of young fighters are out there wondering where to go. I want to make this accessible. 

“We have an unbelievable card. It is full of undefeated, top-class prospects and there are some really exciting fighters featuring. It will be an action-packed night of boxing.”

The bill is topped by ‘Cool’ Callum Bradley (7-0) - one of Ireland’s hottest prospects.

Already this year, Omagh super-featherweight Bradley has beaten Jake Polland and Darwing Martinez.

The 26-year-old overcame Pollard in Bolton in February before claiming a points win over Martinez at the Devenish Complex in Belfast in June.

Bradley, who is backed by a sizeable following in his native Tyrone, was a three-time Irish amateur champion and made his pro debut in 2019, beating Jose Aguilar at the Ulster Hall.

His brother, Tiernan Bradley, will also feature. 

The Brighton-based light-welterweight (10-0-1, 5KOs) shared a draw with Ben Crocker at York Hall in April when the IBF European title was on the line.

Quigley said of the 28-year-old: “Tiernan isn’t a prospect anymore now; he is a contender in the world of boxing.

“Tiernan has shown his skill, his class, his ability up until this stage and this is a fight to keep the ball rolling for him and keep him busy. This could set up a fight between Tiernan and Sean McComb. That would be a massive Irish fight down the line and it would make all the sense in the world.”

Danny Duffy (2-0) is aiming to gain momentum now as a pro - and a home show in Donegal will be the perfect stage for the Raphoe Boxing Club ace, the Irish bantamweight champ in 2023. Duffy made his pro debut in December and the 24-year-old was declared the points winner against Jake Pollard in the Devenish in June.

Eoghan Lavin (6-0, 2KOs) has two wins under his belt in 2025 having KO’d Jan Balog at the National Stadium in the opening round of their clash in April before claiming a points win against Dzmitry Atrokhau over six rounds in Altrincham last month.

The 22-year-old from Ballyhaunis is trained by former WBA lightweight titlist Anthony Crolla in Manchester and has already stated his intention to get his paws on a World Youth title.

Lavin, a nine-time national champion up the ages as an amateur, is backed by some stellar names of the sport and this is his latest step on the way to the top.

Read next: Finn Harps remember former manager Ollie Horgan in moving half-time tribute

Limerick cruiserweight Kian Hedderman (1-0, 1KO), Galway cruiser Jason Myers (3-0, 2KOs), Limerick middleweight Jim Donovan (1-0) and Waterford-based Canadian flyweight Tiana Schroeder (4-0, 1KO) will also take to the canvas

Exciting Enniskillen prospect Rhys Owens, a 2024 Irish Elite champion will duck between the ropes for his professional debut.

Three amateur exhibition contests will get the night underway, one of which includes Twin Towns Boxing Club’s Caoimhin Connolly.