Jason Quigley vs Oscar Cortes set for Jan. 23 Thursday Night Fights

Ireland’s Jason Quigley will return to action next week on Jan. 23, headlining the next edition of Golden Boy’s Thursday Night Fights in a 10-round super middleweight bout against Oscar Cortes.

The card will stream live on DAZN at 10:00 pm ET next week, and will also be available for free on Facebook.

Quigley, 28, has been based in California for years now, and it also seems as if he’s been a prospect that hasn’t much moved up the ladder for years. He stepped up his competition a bit last July and was stopped in the ninth round by veteran Tureano Johnson, a pretty big setback. But Quigley (17-1, 13 KO) did return quietly in December with a third round stoppage of Abraham Cordero, and now is looking to get 2020 going on the right foot.

“I want to build momentum,” said Quigley. “I fought at the start of December and got a good win. Now, I’m right back in mix. That’s exactly what I want, and exactly what I need. It’s all about building momentum now. I need to get in again, keep it fresh, and get out of there ASAP to keep the ball rolling. It’s an exciting time. What’s important now in 2020 is driving on and achieving what I want to achieve. My aim and my goal are to become a world champion. I’m excited for what’s to come.”

Cortes (27-5, 14 KO) is not a fearsome opponent, being honest. The 26-year-old Mexican was last seen in October, where he got stopped in the second round by Kamil Szeremeta, a solid fighter and a former European champion at middleweight, but also not a puncher. He also lost to Hugo Centeno Jr last February, and is really a club fighter with an inflated record.

“I’ve been in the ring for as long as I can remember,” said Cortes. “I have faced my share of tough opponents in there, and Quigley is no different. He is a big challenge for me at this point of my career, but I am ready to prove myself and my family above all that I belong with the top guys of the sport.I want to thank Golden Boy and DAZN for allowing me the opportunity to beat a top fighter on international TV.”

The co-feature will see Ferdinand Kerobyan (13-1, 8 KO) take on Azael Cosio (21-8-2, 18 KO) in an eight-round fight at 154 pounds, and we’ll also have an eight-round heavyweight bout between Romania’s Mihai Nistor (1-0, 1 KO) and Jaime Solorio (12-3-2, 9 KO) of Mexico. The 29-year-old Nistor is a banger who once stopped Anthony Joshua in the amateurs, though that was years ago and he’s short and squat for a pro heavyweight. But he can punch, and he can be fun to watch.