Andy Lee: 'Jason Quigley can show the world how great he is'

Andy Lee has backed Jason Quigley to shine under some of boxing's brightest lights on Saturday night in New York.

Quigley takes to the stage at the iconic Madison Square Garden looking to upset the odds and take the NABO super-middleweight title from the so-far unbeaten Edgar Berlanga.

Quigley returned from a 16-month lay-off with a routine and useful, yet relatively low-key win over Gabor Gorbics in Dubln, dusting off the cobwebs that lingered from his November 2021 stoppage by Demetrius Andrade when he fought for the WBO world middleweight title.

Quigley has stepped up a weight and the Ballybofey man (20-2, 14KOs) has a chance to get right back among the sport's elite again.

Jason Quigley ready for a big bite in the Big Apple

Jason Quigley meets Edgar Berlanga on Saturday night in New York with the NABO super-middleweight title - and a possible path back to a world title shot - up for grabs

“It is an opportunity for Jason to leapfrog the contenders and put himself right back in the shop window as the leading contender at 168,” Lee, who is returning to Quigley's corner this weekend.

“Jason had a tough experience against Andrade: Going in without his head coach; travelling over to fight one of the most avoided fighters in boxing; and then he got his jaw broken with the first punch.”

Nine years ago this month Lee sensationally floored John Jackson in the fifth round at Madison Square Garden. Lees memory surely went back this week when he landed at Pennsylvania Plaza.

He was put to the canvas by Jackson in the first round and seemed to be staring into the abyss, behind 39-36 on all scorecards heading into the fifth.

Jackson went to unload again, but he was soon staring at the ceiling. Lee had bent a little and cracked the right hook that ended the night.

The win, said the Irish Times the following day, 'saved his career'. Six months later, he stopped Matt Korobov to win the WBO world middleweight title in Las Vegas.

Quigley had to think long and hard after the Andrade defeat, but Lee has seen something in his man to heighten his own confidence in recent months.

“He has proven his desire,” Lee said. “I have pushed him hard and he has never failed me once. This is the right time for Jason Quigley to fulfil the potential and show the world how great he is.”

The brash Berlanga arrives as a trumpeted fighter who will be fighting for the first time under the Matchroom banner. Although 20-0 with 16KOs, the finer detail has given Team Quigley cause for real optimism.

“Saturday night is a step too far for Edgar,” Lee said. “He's a good young fighter, strong and aggressive. I think to fight Jason at this stage of his development is a mistake.”