By Barbara Pinnella Johnny Quigley has come to America from England. I know you probably don’t know him yet, but this mature 23-year-old has the skills to win fights (he is 8-0) and the personality to charm fight fans. And hopefully, people will get to see that sooner rather than later. His first fight in the States will be in South Carolina in October, and he will than be on a card in Hollywood, CA on November 14, at a venue to be announced. Quigley has very recently relocated to sunny California, along with his fiancée Natalie and young son John, aka “Lil Johnny Hollywood”. Johnny had been out West before, doing some sparring and feeling things out before he made the long move from Liverpool, England. The 23-year-old red-headed southpaw will be managed by Sheer Management, and is working with trainer Courage Tshabalala at Box ‘N Burn Boxing Gym in Santa Monica.

“He already knows how to fight, so right now we are just getting a relationship going,” Courage said. “But I can tell you off the bag, some of the things that he does, he reminds me of Pernell Whitaker. I haven’t seen that in a long time – I haven’t been excited about a fighter in a long time. His work ethic, his mentality, and his commitment are all in the right place, so I’m very impressed with him right now. The way he boxes is amazing.

“Everything is falling into place. We want to welcome him to the United States and make him as comfortable as possible, but more than that we want to support and nurture his talent and see him grow. That’s the route that we are taking and the rest is up to him. He’s only 23 but he’s got everything figured out.”

“I like it here,” Johnny said. “I like the atmosphere, they have good equipment, and everyone’s nice and friendly and the weather’s good. It’s a place where you come to work hard and get results.

“He likes to push me to the limit,” Quigley said of Courage. “That’s what I want. I think that’s what you need if you want to go far in this game, to be pushed past your limit, and I think Courage will continue to do that. My trainer at home does that as well – they both push me past my limit. That’s good, because in a fight, if someone pushes me I’m right in my comfort zone.”

With his one knockout, Johnny is not known as a power puncher, but he feels that will change once he is on weight.

“I am a boxer rather then a puncher, but at my correct weight I can punch. I’m sure you’ll see that at the fight. It’s nothing to stress out about, because I know the power’s there, it’s just that it’ll come when it’s ready. I’m sure it will come very soon.”

Quigley has been boxing since he was six years old. “My mom and dad bought me a big sports bag. I had no other equipment, just a bottle of water,” he laughed. “Ever since then I just loved it – I was born for this. Of course, it runs in my family, because my dad was my coach, and I have two other brothers who are professional boxers. I’m the baby of the family and I just followed along.”

As is so often the case and as was previously mentioned, Johnny’s father was his coach, something we see quite often today. I wondered just how hard it was for him.

“Well, sometimes it can be difficult. But I think any father and son relationship is hard at times. Even though I might have a moment in the gym, I’ll get on with it, because I know he wants the best for me. It is hard sometimes, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Quigley is so excited to get in the ring and his passion for his craft is obvious when speaking with him. He is earnest, honest, and ready. He will have to have some exhibition fights until his work permit is finalized, but at least he will be fighting.

“I can’t wait to make my debut and show people what I can do. I bring a lot to the table, and the way I fight you don’t see a lot. I have an unusual style and I can’t wait to be unleashed onto the American scene. I think all boxers want to make it in America, and that’s what I’m here to do.

“My last fight was back in April, but before that I had a year out. My fiancée had our baby and I didn’t want to miss out on those special moments, and I wanted to help out at home. But now I’m more focused and more dedicated than ever because I’m fighting for my family now.”

About the only way that Johnny gave any indication of his age was his confession that he likes to play Playstation 3, and admitted that he does get “moaned at” by his fiancée Natalie for playing on the games, because she would like him to do some cleaning up.

“Give me a hammer and I don’t know how to use it. Ask me to fix a car; I won’t know how to do it. Ask me to punch someone, I can do it!” he said with another laugh.

Johnny will be competing as a featherweight. “I’ve kept myself in good shape, so I’m not far off weight. In the past I’ve had too many pies, but now I eat clean. I have a different mind set.

“But I’m here to fight and to win, and to make my family and friends proud.”

Keep your eyes out for this young man. I think you’ll be impressed with his skills and his attitude, and I want to wish him good luck, and welcome him to America!