Barry McGuigan
Born in Clunes, MonaghanBorn on 28th of February 1961
Died in 000
(full name and title: Finbar Patrick McGuigan, MBE)
Born: February 28, 1961
Barry McGuigan, known as the Clones Cyclone, is a former professional boxer born in the town of Clones in the Republic of Ireland, close to the border with Northern Ireland.
His father was a famous Irish singer, Pat McGuigan, and used to sing the song 'Danny Boy' as part of the introduction to many of Barry McGuigan's bouts. McGuigan fought for Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games in 1978, where he took gold, and Ireland at the 1980 Olympic Games. He then decided to turn professional in 1981 but his early career was dogged by controversy and tragedy. He lost a hotly disputed decision against Peter Eubanks, the brother of Chris Eubanks. Then, after gaining revenge against Eubanks, he fought the Nigerian Young Ali. McGuigan won by a sixth round knockout but the Nigerian boxer fell into a coma following the fight and never recovered. His death affected McGuigan badly and he almost gave up boxing at that point.
He decided to continue and over the next few years he posted win after win, many by a knockout. He became a non-sectarian hero, having married a Protestant when he himself was a Roman Catholic, prompting the slogan 'Leave the fighting to McGuigan'.
His hero status was further confirmed in 1985 when he fought Eusabio Pedroza of Panama for the WBA World Title. McGuigan floored Pedroza during the seventh round and went on to win a points decision after 15 gruelling rounds of boxing. He retained his title in two further bouts, one of which was albeit a controversial technical knockout of Danilo Cabrera due to a confusion over local rule variations. He then went to Las Vegas to fight Steve Cruz in the blazing sun. The environment got the better of McGuigan who became severely dehydrated after leading the fight early. He was floored twice in the second half of the fight and lost a close points decision.
His career never recovered after that defeat and Barry is now respected as a Boxing commentator and columnist.
More famous Britons here
Contributors: Do you have a site related to Barry McGuigan?
Supply some content
for this page and we will gladly add a link to your site. Email here.
7227 views since 25th February 2008
Brit Quote: |
|
On this day: |