A BOXER from Port Glasgow has his eyes on the prize after winning an award honouring an impressive display in the ring.

Cruiserweight James Quigley is celebrating being crowned the St Andrew’s Sporting Club boxer of the month for May at a ceremony in Glasgow.

The 29-year-old southpaw, who turned professional last year after almost six years away from the sport, recorded his second victory in the paid ranks with an impressive points win over Latvian Rolandas Cesna seven weeks ago.

It was a case of two’s company for the Port Victoria fighter as his younger brother Grant, 22, lifted the boxer of the year award in front of their proud parents James and Roseanne and long-time coach Kenny Crighton.

James told the Telegraph: “It was fantastic because my mum and dad were there and they were over the moon.

“Kenny was there too with his wife and it was nice to be able to give something back to him as well. 

“It’s a good thing for him and the club to have two boxers with awards.

“I knew I was getting mine before the ceremony because boxer of the month is different from boxer of the year but it was still a nice surprise.”

James, who is dad to two-year-old Lara and recently welcomed the arrival of son James, is loving life in and out of the ring and can’t wait to get back into action later in the year.

He said: “I was away from boxing for five-and-a-half years and it’s a long time but sometimes things happen — work, starting a family and other stuff.

“It’s hard once you’ve had it in your life for so long to be without it.

“The boxing season is finished now so I’m hoping to be out again as soon as I can, possibly September.

“There’s nothing definite as yet but there’s definitely things in the pipeline.”
Asked whether having two young children is tougher than competing, he said:

“It’s certainly mentally anyway.”
James has been with Port Victoria ABC since he was 15 and is one of the longest-serving members.

His brother Grant also trains there and is unbeaten in four bouts.
Their coach Kenny Crighton said: “I would like to congratulate the two of them, especially Grant winning a prestigious award in his first year.

“It’s great for the boxing club as well having two good professional fighters and I think they will go on to bigger and better things next year.”