Former champion next for Quigley

Tony Quigley will fight a second former British champion in a row

Liverpool super-middleweight Tony Quigley is to make the first defence of his British title against former champion Brian Magee on 4 July.

Quigley, 24, won the title Magee had vacated through injury with a 12th-round stoppage of fellow Liverpudlian Tony Dodson in March.

"It's a very big fight," Quigley told BBC Radio Merseyside. "It's no easy task is it, Brian Magee?

"He's been a world and British champion and fought for European titles."

Quigley is well aware of the threat Magee will pose when they meet at the Liverpool Olympia.

"If you have a look at the people who have beaten him, it's been a European for a European belt and Robin Reid and Carl Froch are the only two who've beaten him.

"He is very experienced and it's going to take a big effort from me to beat him," said Quigley.

On his way to stopping Dodson, Quigley displayed a big heart and a good chin as he rode a barrage of heavy shots in the middle rounds.

And he hopes to take less punishment and stay more out of harm's way against Magee.

"I have a big heart and I'll never give in, no matter what," he added. "You can have a good chin but that doesn't mean you can't be knocked out does it?

"My defence has to be tighter and my footwork has to be better. That's my base to improve on."

Quigley, who won the British title in only his 14th professional fight, feels that is a good omen ahead of his bout with Magee.

"My career has always panned out that the better the opponent is, the better I perform.

"I raise my game, and remember this will only be my 15th fight.

"This is only the second time I've been scheduled for a 12-rounder, so it's a big ask, but I think I will beat Magee.

"I think I'll be too fresh and probably want it more than him."