Miguel Vazquez makes bold declaration ahead of bout with Pittsworth’s Jackson ‘Stoneleigh’ Griffiths

Country Queenslander Jackson Griffiths could end the career of former world champion Miguel Vazquez who has traded blows with superstars like Canelo Alvarez and Timothy Bradley Jr. Find out how here.

Jackson 'Stoneleigh' Griffiths and Miguel Vazquez face-off. Picture: Tanner Smith.

One of the biggest fight nights in regional Queensland history has just heated up even more with former IBF lightweight titleholder Miguel Vazquez stating he will hang up the gloves if he loses in his upcoming fight with Pittsworth sensation Jackson ‘Stoneleigh’ Griffiths.

Griffiths and Vazquez will face off in the ring at Rumours International in Toowoomba on Friday night with the WBC Australasia Grand Champion belt on the line.

“If I win, I continue fighting, if I lose, my decision … no more fights for me, if I lose this will be my last fight,” the 37-year-old Mexican boxer said.

For Griffiths, this is an opportunity of a lifetime as he looks to extend his unbeaten 14-0 pro record and further assert himself as one of the world’s most promising young boxers after he won the WBC World Youth welterweight title in March this year.

“If I could pull this off Friday night and get a win under my belt against Miguel, the sky’s your limit,” he said.

Jackson 'Stoneleigh' Griffiths lands a punch on Thailand's Anuson Thonglueang during the fight for the WBC World Youth Welterweight Title. Picture: Darren Burns

“I don’t really know where I could go next, you just got to keep moving forward, but definitely would ne a good win.

“To be able to think that I’m nearly here and fighting the fellas that Canelo’s faced, Timothy Bradley Junior’s faced and Josh Taylor, it is exciting.

“It is very exciting for myself to be able to say I can come up against someone like Miguel and it is very awesome.”

Griffiths has declared himself the underdog in this fight but believes he has never been fitter, or more prepared for a bout like this one.

“We’ve had a long three months, every fight that I’ve went in we’ve always been fit but I just feel like this time I’ve been lifted another level,” the 22-year-old said.

“Only just a couple of months ago I just finished my trade and I’ve been able to now fully put more time and commitment into it.

Jackson 'Stoneleigh' Griffiths and Miguel Vazquez at The Big Fights 37 press conference. Picture: Tanner Smith

“I do think I can win it, everyone can be beat(en) if I turn up there to fight Friday night, I gotta be 100 per cent on my game and I think I can win it.”

With Vazquez 15 years older than his rival, the veteran boxer expects plenty of fireworks from Griffiths but believes his experience will see him over the line.

“I prepared very well for this fight, I know Jackson is a strong fighter, I am prepared very strong too,” he said.

“He’s more young and maybe a little bit more hunger and maybe more strong.

“I have more experience but I know that I am a little old but (it will not) be bad for me because I know I have (the) experience to win this fight.”

For Vazquez, every fight has more meaning to him now as he looks to honour the memory of his father, who died two years ago.

“He was my father, my trainer, my friend, my confidence, my all, my everything, he was my trainer since I start to box to when he passed away two years ago,” he said.

“If I win this fight, I want to dedicate to the memory of my father – rest in peace – if I win I want to fight more maybe three, four fights more.”

Massive night of boxing

Along with the blockbuster Griffiths-Vazquez bout, it is set to be an unforgettable night of boxing in the Garden City with several title fights across various weight classes.

“This is the biggest show ever here on the Darling Downs and we’ve had some great shows here,” promoter Brendon Smith said.

“It’s incredible, six international fights, four titles fights, the Australian versus India Cup, it’s amazing and we’re a packed out crowd, can’t thank Toowoomba enough, it’s gonna be one hell of a night of fights.

Team Australia and Team India boxers for the Australia vs. India Cup at The Big Fights 37 press conference.

“I think the depth right from the start all the way through, I think this night, it is one of them nights you can’t blink either, anything can happen in this.

“Look at the size Herman (Ene-Purcell) and his opponent, we know the power that Herman’s got – that heavyweight fight is going to be exciting.

“That whole card right from the start, they could all go the distance, they could all go the other way, there could be knockouts, anything is going to happen in this night.”

There are several big personalities competing in the inaugural Australia vs. India Cup, but none bigger than Toowoomba’s Herman Ene-Purcell.

The powerful heavyweight boxer is returning to the ring for the first time in the Garden City since his return to boxing earlier this year after a three-year break from the sport.

“I am super excited, I love fighting in Toowoomba, Toowoomba’s been my home for the last 12 years and the Toowoomba fans are great and I am really looking forward to putting on a good show for them on Friday,” he said.

Ene-Purcell said his break from the sport did wonders for him and he is hungrier than ever and he made headlines in his return to the ring in April when he delivered a powerful KO to Thailand’s Tanapat Vibulsuk after just five seconds.

“It has been good, I did have a fight earlier that did last a few seconds but I took a break, had about two, three years off and it has done me wonders,” he said.

“I feel confident as a fighter, I feel confident physically, mentally.

“I needed that break and looking forward to putting on a good show on Friday and sending a warning to all the heavyweights in the country.

“I am back to put on a big statement.”