TONY DODSON is backing British super-middleweight champion Tony Quigley to retain his Lonsdale Belt tonight – then hopes he defends against him after Christmas. Dodson was just 90 seconds away from recapturing the domestic 12 stone crown back in March at the same ECHO Arena venue before a tremendous late surge from Quigley saw him force a memorable final round stoppage victory. That result christened Quigley as ‘The Cinderella Man’ of British boxing, as he only actually stepped in at late notice to take the fight. And Dodson, who admits to being good friends with the new champion now, is convinced that the very same relentless attitude which crowned Quigley earlier in the year will see him home against big-punching Smith tonight. Dodson, who hopes to fight the winner, says: “I respect both fighters so much and have to admit that I am so jealous that I’m not in there fighting one of them. Hopefully I will get the chance “But I have to admit that I believe that the winner will be Tony Quigley. “Don’t get me wrong, Paul can punch. I’ve sparred him and I know how talented he is, but Quigley is relentless. He’s got a terrific chin but also such a big heart. “I hit him with some very big shots in our fight and I’m a big super-middleweight too, but he just kept on coming. “Paul will be dangerous early on with his big shots but the later the fight goes the more Quigley will be able to climb on top and use his boxing ability. He may even force a late stoppage of his own.” Dodson’s fight with Quigley is favourite to be named British boxing’s Fight of the Year for 2009, and the third Scouse super-middleweight contender is convinced that tonight’s clash will struggle to match up to that titanic battle. But he does admit that styles can make fights and tonight’s championship showdown has the ingredients of another derby classic. “My fight with Quigley was a bit of a rollercoaster,” Dodson adds. “He started so well, and then I came into the fight after getting cut up at the start. Then I totally took over the middle rounds before Quigley came back in style at the end. “I don’t think tonight’s fight will quite live up to that, but I do think that a fight which is basically a puncher against a boxer should be fascinating for the fans. “I know I can’t wait for it. I’ve got butterflies, and I’m not even boxing!” | 
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