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Quigley kisses his silver medal at last year's world championships. Cathal Noonan/INPHO
going pro

Jason Quigley turns pro after signing up with Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy

The Donegal boxer surrendered his national title in February, sparking speculation he was to leave the amateur ranks.

IRISH AMATEUR BOXING has lost one of its best talents, and medal prospects for the 2016 Olympics, after Jason Quigley opted to join the professional ranks.

The 22-year-old middleweight, who won silver at the 2013 World Championships, will bypass his Olympic dreams, in Rio, to chase world title glory. The Ballybofey native has signed up with Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy promotions company.

He told Sky Sports: “I’m really, really excited. I’ve been contemplating whether to make this move or not, but I’ve gone with this feeling in my heart that I have the excitement and hunger to go on and fulfill my childhood dreams of becoming a world professional champion.”

The writing was on the wall in February when Quigley failed to register to defend his national middleweight title. This followed a December 2013 interview he gave to TheScore.ie when he admitted he was tempted to join the pro ranks.

During the interview, he said, “I’ve represented my country with all my heart and I was just so proud to put on that Irish vest. Maybe it’s time to take off the Irish vest now and go to the pro ranks.

“My first ever ambition was to be a professional world champion, ever since I was a young fella.”

Quigley decision to leave the amateur ranks comes on the back of John Joe Nevin’s deal, with Greenblood Boxing, to turn professional back in October.

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