Scottt Quigg hungry to become two-weight world champ to prove he was right to quit UK for US
Former WBA world super-bantamweight king ditched trainer Joe Gallagher after he lost to Carl Frampton - and believes new coach Freddie Roach is revitalising his career
SCOTT QUIGG intends to prove he was right to quit the UK for the US when he tries to become a two-weight world champion next Saturday.
The former WBA world super-bantamweight king ditched trainer Joe Gallagher after he lost his title to Carl Frampton two years ago.
He then linked up with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach in Los Angeles.
Quigg said he needed a new coach to revitalise his career after six years with Gallagher, as well as a new challenge.
He moved up a division to featherweight following his only career defeat.
And Bury boxer Quigg makes his fight debut in the US when he challenges unbeaten Oscar Valdez for the Mexican’s WBO featherweight crown in California.
Valdez, 27, chose Quigg for his voluntary defence — a sure sign his team believe the Brit will be his 24th victim.
Quigg, 29, revealed: “He is probably hitting his peak right now — but I’m very confident of winning.
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“It’s a fight that excites me. I didn’t hesitate to say yes when Valdez’s promoter came knocking.
“Becoming a two-weight champion would probably be the biggest achievement of my career. They probably think I will be crushed by the occasion — but they had better think again.”
Quigg has already had a close-up look at Valdez as they have sparred at Roach’s Wild Card Gym.
He added: “We shared the ring when I was preparing for a fight against Viorel Simion. The reason I left my family behind was for that sort of quality sparring.
“The sessions I had with Valdez underlined that I made the correct decision to uproot my camps.
“The Wild Card came to a virtual standstill when we sparred and neither of us took it easy. It was pretty much full-on.
“I know what Valdez can do and it doesn’t worry me at all. I know his attributes and his weaknesses, but he can say the same for me.”
Highly-rated Valdez boasts explosive punching power that has stopped 19 of his previous opponents.
Quigg said: “It’s the sort of world-class fight that I want to be involved in and they don’t come much bigger than this.
“Promoters Top Rank are trying to build him into the next star — but he’ll have to wait a bit!
“Valdez is 23-0 and has not really put a foot wrong, but these are the challenges I want and I 100 per cent believe I will become world champion on March 10.”
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Since losing to Northern Irishman Frampton on a split decision, Quigg has fought three times and looked as if he had recaptured the form that made him a champion.
He explained: “The last two performances have probably been the two I’ve enjoyed the most in a long, long time.
“I know that at the highest level I’ve got to be cuter and smarter. In the last two I just had fun. There are weaknesses in Valdez’ armour and I will exploit them.”