Paddy Barnes - Jason Quigley right to go again

Paddy Barnes reckons Jason Quigley is too young and too good to simply drift off towards retirement. 

The Ballybofey boxer hasn’t stepped a competitive foot back inside the ring since suffering a cruel WBO World Middleweight title loss to Demetrius Andrade back in November of 2021. 

The destructive Andrade stopped Quigley in the second round at the SNHU Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire. 

But a debilitating jaw break, sustained inside the opening seconds of the first bell, meant the Donegal man's dreams were really ended before they’d even had a chance to begin. 

It looked like Quigley was segwaying towards the management side of things in recent times with Sheer Sports. But comments made in recent weeks suggest he’s no intention of hanging up his gloves just yet. 

Two-time bronze Olympic medalist Barnes and Quigley remain close friends from their hugely successful time spent together as part of the national amateur set-up. And the Belfast man insists his pal still has plenty left in the tank in the pro ranks. 

“I’m delighted to hear Jason is getting back in the ring,” said Barnes. “Jason is a proper athlete in the sense he really looks after himself, in and out of camp. He trains like an absolute animal - he’s so dedicated. 

“Jason was a world class amateur, I mean he was unbelievable. Yeah, his weight is a hard weight with so many amazing fighters in there. But he’s a brilliant boxer and he certainly has more to give”. 

In terms of the Andrade bout and the heartbreaking way it ended, Barnes admits Quigley would have felt devastated for quite some time. Win or lose, Barnes explains Quigley would have felt going in that a life-long dream of fighting for a world title was going to be realised regardless. 

But that debilitating blow from Andradre shattered more than just bone, and it probably did take that little bit longer to move on from.   

“You can’t take anything from that fight,” said Barnes. “What happened, happened so early on in the fight. Jason didn’t even have time to settle into his rhythm when he took that shot. His legs were fine, he was still fresh but obviously the jaw thing meant the fight simply had to be stopped. 

“S*** happens. And Jason will move on from that now. Now, he has a chance to go again and I can’t wait to see how that goes. Jason is such a popular lad. And believe me, that’s very rare in the boxing game. 

“Jason has fought for Ireland and has the medals to show for it. Everyone is rooting for him ahead of this comeback.”

Barnes fought nine times as a professional, winning six, and had some huge nights out at the likes of Windsor Park and Madison Square Garden. 

He says the bright lights and titles are important but - he added - they shouldn’t blind fighters from the real reason why they ultimately put it all on the line when stepping through those ropes. 

“At the end of the day, boxing is a sport but it’s also a business. Whenever your time is up, you’re still bowing out a very young man. Titles, if they come, are great. But make sure you’re looking after number one and being paid what you’re worth”.