“Roy Jones commentated on my first fight in Las Vegas, and he was the most complimentary out of everyone,” Monaghan said. “The other HBO commentators were trying to play up the street-fighter thing, but Roy Jones Jr. gave me credit; he noticed some things that I was doing boxing-wise that they were overlooking.”

I think they try to hype up people in certain ways, like a comic book character,” he added. “I’m supposed to be this drunk street fighter kid and they try to play that up — they like to have good guys and bad guys. I don’t think I’m a villain, and they definitely try to make my past more dramatic than it was.” Monaghan has definitely come along way since he began his professional career in 2010. His wife, Beverly, gave birth to a daughter, Malia, in February, and his son, Sammy, is now 3 years old. Still, Monaghan said that the last several fights have only strengthened his resolve in the ring, and he feels more confident and determined than ever.

“I’m in the best shape ever,” he said. “I’m looking to destroy this guy because he’s standing in my way for some very big things. This is going to be my fifth 10-round-fight in six or seven months, and there’s nobody who is that busy right now. I’ve been working out constantly and my body feels different and I feel different — I feel more confident than ever.”

Tickets for the Monaghan fight at Barclays are available at the Saloon in Long Beach for $86, $106, and $206. Call (516) 432-9185 for more information.