Barry McGuigan

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Barry McGuigan
MBE
McGuigan in 2015
Born
Finbar Patrick McGuigan

(1961-02-28) 28 February 1961 (age 64)
Clones, County Monaghan, Ireland
Other namesThe Clones Cyclone
Statistics
Weight(s)Featherweight
Height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Reach70 in (178 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights35
Wins32
Wins by KO28
Losses3
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing  Northern Ireland
Commonwealth Games
Gold medal – first place 1978 Edmonton Bantamweight

Finbar Patrick McGuigan

professional boxer. Born in Clones, County Monaghan, McGuigan was nicknamed The Clones Cyclone and held the WBA and lineal featherweight titles from 1985 to 1986. At regional level he also held the British and European featherweight titles between 1983 and 1985. In 1985, McGuigan became BBC Sports Personality of the Year. In 2005, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame
.

Background

Barry McGuigan was born in Clones, County Monaghan, Ireland. His father was singer Pat McGuigan (died 1987). Pat McGuigan sang "Danny Boy" before several of his son's matches. This inspired the Hacienda Brothers' song "If Daddy Don't Sing Danny Boy", written by boxer and musician Chris Gaffney.[1]

As an amateur, McGuigan represented

UK citizen so that he could compete for British titles.[2][3]

During his professional career, McGuigan fought at a number of venues in Ireland and Britain. He attracted an enormous following in the mid-1980s, particularly to the King's Hall in

Protestants were clashing during The Troubles, he married a Protestant, Sandra Mealiff.[4][5] As of 2010, they remain married after over three decades.[6]

McGuigan stated that the support he received from both Protestants and Catholics in Ireland was because:

"[the] shadows ran deep. And my fights felt a little like sunshine. Both sides would say: 'Leave the fighting to McGuigan.' You see, it was also entertainment – people loved to forget the Troubles a while. The fact that I wouldn't wear green, white and gold or put on a sign that said this is who I represent was powerful. It was a very mature and dangerous thing to do. I wouldn't choose sides. People appreciated that."

CLIC Sargent
.

Amateur career

McGuigan began his juvenile boxing career at the Wattlebridge Amateur Boxing Club, County Fermanagh, and later moved to the Smithborough Amateur Boxing Club, County Monaghan. He won the All Ireland Amateur Championship in 1976 having defeated Martin Brereton. Notable opponents during his teenage years included Dubliner James Coughlan, whom he defeated at the age of 15, and Gordon McNeil (of Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne).[citation needed]

McGuigan represented Northern Ireland in the Commonwealth Games at Edmonton 1978 and represented Ireland at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.

1980 Olympic results

Barry McGuigan competed at the 1980 Moscow Olympics as a featherweight; his record was:

  • Round of 32: defeated Issack Mabushi (Tanzania) referee stopped contest in third round
  • Round of 16: lost to Winfred Kabunda (Zambia) by decision, 1–4

Professional career

McGuigan began his professional boxing career on 10 May 1981, beating

Corn Exchange at the Brighton Dome.[8] After his first loss, McGuigan notched up two more wins, including one over Terry Pizzarro, and then he was given a rematch with Eubank. The second time around, McGuigan prevailed, by a knockout in the eighth round.[9]

In 1982, McGuigan won eight fights, seven by knockout, but one of these almost destroyed his career and his life. Fighting

The Ring: Boxing The 20th Century. Ali's death affected McGuigan so much that he was not sure he wanted to carry on as a boxer. He also defeated Paul Huggins and Angelo Licata during this period. In 1983, he won four fights, earning the British Title against Vernon Penprase. This period marked his first trip to fight outside Europe (when he beat Lavon McGowan by a knockout in the first round in Chicago), before he got his first try at a European title.[citation needed
]

On 16 November, Italy's Valerio Nati boxed McGuigan for the vacant European Featherweight title in Belfast. McGuigan won the crown with a knockout in the sixth round. He then became the number one featherweight challenger for the WBA. In 1984, he won six bouts, all by knockout. Among the fighters he beat were former world title challengers Jose Caba and Felipe Orozco. McGuigan also overcame contenders Paul DeVorce and Charm Chiteule, retained his British and European titles against Clyde Ruan, and held on to the latter belt against Esteban Eguia to keep alive his chances of a world title fight.[citation needed]

In 1985, McGuigan met former world featherweight champion Juan Laporte and won by a decision after ten rounds.[11] Following one more win (a defence of his European title against Farid Gallouze), McGuigan finally earned a tilt at a world title. Long-reigning WBA featherweight champion, Eusebio Pedroza of Panama, put his title on the line at Loftus Road football stadium in London. McGuigan became the champion by dropping Pedroza in round seven and winning a unanimous fifteen-round decision in a fight refereed by hall of fame referee Stanley Christodoulou. McGuigan and his wife were feted in a public reception through the streets of Belfast that attracted hundreds of thousands of well-wishers. Later that year, he was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year, becoming the first person not born in the United Kingdom to win the award.[12]

McGuigan made his first defences against American

Steve Cruz from Texas as a late replacement for Ramon Fernando Sosa who pulled out for having two detached retinas. It proved to be a gruelling fifteen-round title bout under a blazing late-afternoon sun and 110-degree heat in the ring.[13] McGuigan held the lead halfway through, but suffered dehydration because of the extreme heat and wilted near the end, being knocked down in rounds ten and fifteen. He eventually lost a close decision and his world belt, which he was never to reclaim. After the fight, McGuigan required hospitalisation because of his dehydrated state.[14]

After that fight McGuigan retired partly due to the death of his father in 1987. WIth his relationship with previous manager Barney Eastwood at an end, McGuigan returned to the ring between 1988 and 1989, under the management of Frank Warren. He beat former world title challengers Nicky Perez and Francisco Tomas da Cruz, and contender Julio César Miranda, before facing former EBU featherweight champ and future WBC and WBA super featherweight challenger Jim McDonnell. McGuigan lost by TKO when a gash over his right eye, caused by a McDonnell left hook in the second round, forced the referee to stop the fight in the fourth. McGuigan then retired permanently from boxing. His record was 32 wins and 3 losses, with 28 victories by knockout.

McGuigan is the founder and president of the Professional Boxing Association (PBA).[15] He is also the founder and CEO of Cyclone Promotions.

Professional boxing record

35 fights 32 wins 3 losses
By knockout 28 1
By decision 4 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
35 Loss 32–3 Jim McDonnell TKO 4 (10), 1:43 31 May 1989
G-Mex Leisure Centre, Manchester
, England
34 Win 32–2 Julio César Miranda TKO 8 (10), 1:12 1 Dec 1988 Pickett's Lock Stadium, London, England
33 Win 31–2 Francisco Tomas da Cruz TKO 4 (10), 1:43 25 Jun 1988 Kenilworth Road, Luton, England
32 Win 30–2 Nicky Perez TKO 4 (10), 2:55 4 Apr 1988 Alexandra Pavilion, London, England
31 Loss 29–2
Steve Cruz
 UD 15 23 Jun 1986 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, US Lost WBA and The Ring featherweight titles
30 Win 29–1 Danilo Cabrera TKO 14 (15), 1:40 15 Feb 1986 The Royal Dublin Society, Dublin, Ireland Retained WBA and The Ring featherweight titles
29 Win 28–1 Bernard Taylor RTD 8 (15), 3:00 28 Sep 1985 King's Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland Retained WBA and The Ring featherweight titles
28 Win 27–1 Eusebio Pedroza UD 15 8 Jun 1985
Loftus Road Stadium
, London, England 		Won WBA and The Ring featherweight titles
27 Win 26–1 Farid Gallouze TKO 2 (12), 1:20 26 Mar 1985 Wembley Arena, London, England Retained European featherweight title
26 Win 25–1 Juan Laporte PTS 10 23 Feb 1985 King's Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland
25 Win 24–1 Clyde Ruan KO 4 (12), 2:50 19 Dec 1984 Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland Retained British and European featherweight titles
24 Win 23–1 Felipe Orozco KO 2 (10), 2:10 13 Oct 1984 King's Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland
23 Win 22–1 Paul DeVorce TKO 5 (10), 1:30 30 Jun 1984 King's Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland
22 Win 21–1 Esteban Eguia KO 3 (12), 0:45 5 Jun 1984 Royal Albert Hall, London, England Retained European featherweight title
21 Win 20–1 Jose Caba TKO 7 (10) 4 Apr 1984 King's Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland
20 Win 19–1 Charm Chiteule TKO 10 (10) 25 Jan 1984 King's Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland
19 Win 18–1 Valerio Nati KO 6 (12), 2:33 16 Nov 1983 King's Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland Won vacant European featherweight title
18 Win 17–1 Ruben Dario Herasme KO 2 (10), 2:58 5 Oct 1983 Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland
17 Win 16–1 Lavon McGowan KO 1 (10), 2:59 9 Jul 1983 DiVinci Manoe,
Chicago, Illinois
, US
16 Win 15–1 Samuel Meck TKO 6 (10), 2:58 22 May 1983 Navan Exhibition Centre, Navan, Ireland
15 Win 14–1 Vernon Penprase TKO 2 (12), 2:50 12 Apr 1983 Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland Won vacant British featherweight title
14 Win 13–1 Paul Huggins TKO 5 (12) 9 Nov 1982 Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland
13 Win 12–1 Jimmy Duncan RTD 4 (10) 5 Oct 1982 Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland
12 Win 11–1
Young Ali
 KO 6 (8), 2:47 14 June 1982 World Sporting Club, London, England

Ali dies of injuries sustained in the fight

11 Win 10–1 Gary Lucas KO 1 (8) 22 Apr 1982 Lakeland Forum, Enniskillen, Northern Ireland
10 Win 9–1 Angelo Licata TKO 2 (8), 2:45 23 Mar 1982 Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland
9 Win 8–1 Angel Oliver TKO 3 (8), 2:16 23 Feb 1982 Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland
8 Win 7–1 Ian Murray TKO 3 (8) 8 Feb 1982 World Sporting Club, London, England
7 Win 6–1 Luis de la Sagra PTS 8 27 Jan 1982 Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland
6 Win 5–1 Peter Eubank TKO 8 (8), 2:40 8 Dec 1981 Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland
5 Win 4–1 Terry Pizzaro TKO 4 (8) 26 Oct 1981 Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland
4 Win 3–1 Jean-Marc Renard PTS 8 3 Aug 1981 Ulster Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland
3 Loss 2–1 Peter Eubank PTS 8 3 Aug 1981
Corn Exchange, Brighton
, England
2 Win 2–0 Gary Lucas TKO 4 (6), 1:20 20 Jun 1981 Empire Pool, London, England
1 Win 1–0 Selvin Bell TKO 2 (6) 10 May 1981 Dalymount Park, Dublin, Ireland

After boxing

Motor Racing

In 1987, McGuigan tried his luck as a racing driver in the MG Metro Turbo Challenge.[16][17][18] At Silverstone in early-July, following the recent passing of his father, he vacated his car (#16) and future F1 World Champion Damon Hill took his place.[19]

In 1989, McGuigan entered the Standard Production Car Class in British Rallycross, driving a Saab.[20]

In 1990 and 1991, he continued in Rallycross, competing in the Vauxhall Nova Challenge.[21][22]

In 1992 and 1993, he contested several Rally events, mostly in a Vauxhall Nova, but he did make a single appearance in a 4 wheel drive Ford Sierra RS Cosworth.[23]

Other

McGuigan attempted to establish an association to protect the rights of boxers against what he, and others, considered omnipotent managers and promoters. In this regard, McGuigan maintains he had had a difficult time during his own career. A previously very close relationship with his manager, Barney Eastwood, deteriorated badly over time and led to a successful libel case against him by Eastwood several years later.[24] He participated in The Grand Knockout Tournament 1987 charity event television special.[citation needed]

McGuigan lives near

Nika, died in 2019 aged 33.[25]

He currently works as a boxing pundit for Sky TV. Two biographies of McGuigan have been written. He is currently a boxing manager and promoter through Cyclone Promotions.[26] McGuigan's relationship with world champion, Carl Frampton, whom he managed and promoted, ended in 2017. The matter was finally settled out of court in November 2020.[27]

McGuigan is the Chairman of the Professional Boxing Association, an organisation he wanted to set up for over a decade, with the intention of teaching boxers the importance of education.[15]

McGuigan appeared in the film Malicious Intent in 2000.[citation needed] He appeared in the third series of ITV's Hell's Kitchen in September 2007, where he was eventually crowned the winner after winning the public vote.[28] In August 2009, he co-presented Charity Lords of the Ring with Lucy Kennedy.[29]

On 3 January 2024, Cyclone Promotions Ltd and McGuigan's Gym Ltd, of which McGuigan was a director, passed into liquidation.[30]

McGuigan is credited as appearing in the film

One Night in Millstreet.[citation needed
]

In November 2024, McGuigan appeared as a contestant on the twenty-fourth series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! and was the fifth contestant to be eliminated, finishing in eighth place.[31][32]

Other recognition

McGuigan was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 2000 and

Fight of the Year, and was a title character in the 8-bit computer game, Barry McGuigan World Championship Boxing. McGuigan was honoured in an Irish ballad song released in 1984, "Clones Cyclone", written by Johnny McCauley and sung by Big Tom.[34] The German musician and composer Udo Lindenberg also dedicated his song "Jonny Boxer" to McGuigan in 1986. The Bournemouth-based band The Worry Dolls named a track "Barry McGuigan" on their album, The Man That Time Forgot.[citation needed
]

McGuigan was the subject of a comedy record by Dermot Morgan, 'Thank You Very Much Mr Eastwood', in which Morgan impersonated him and his habit of thanking his manager and family in post-fight interviews. The record reached number one in the Irish singles charts in December 1985.[35]

He was appointed a Member of the

dual citizen
of both Ireland and the United Kingdom.

See also

  • List of featherweight boxing champions

References

  1. ^ Hacienda, The. "NPR interviewwith Chris Gaffney". NPR.org. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  2. ^ Trickett, Alex (25 October 2005). "Boxing by the weights". BBC News. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  3. ^ Holden, Kit (8 November 2008). "Boxing: Calzaghe's last stand". The Independent. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  4. ^ "Mcguigan's Title Bout Sires Ireland". The New York Times. 7 June 1985. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  5. ^ "Time and Place: Barry McGuigan". The Sunday Times. 15 June 2008. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  6. ^ "TV Pixie | All Star Mr & Mrs ITV2 22 Jun 2010 19:00". Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  7. ^ McRae, Donald (4 June 2011). "Barry McGuigan's past compels him to make Carl Frampton the future". The Guardian.
  8. ^ "BoxRec: Bout". Archived from the original on 26 July 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  9. ^ "BoxRec: Bout". Archived from the original on 26 July 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  10. ^ Hubbard, Alan (5 June 2011). "Barry McGuigan: 'Every fighter has a story that could break your heart'". The Independent. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  11. ^ "BoxRec: Event". boxrec.com. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  12. ^ "BBC Sports Personality". Virginmedia.com. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
  13. ^ 'On This Day: Steve Cruz pips Barry McGuigan in a titanic Las Vegas battle' Boxing News Online
  14. ^ 'An unforgettable pilgrimage to Caesars Palace to see Barry McGuigan' Irish Times
  15. ^ a b "Barry McGuigan profile". Barrymcguigan.com. 7 May 2014. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  16. ^ https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GbpabGXWwAAzR2V.jpg
  17. ^ https://www.flickr.com/photos/trackside/49716362112#
  18. ^ https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FXk3e31Wm/
  19. ^ https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2184513220/photo/mg-metro-challenge.jpg?s=612x612&w=gi&k=20&c=vdHYrmByej-XoC7r6Tx_7Mr71gjFFTUgX-ppAu1eT60=
  20. ^ https://rallycrossworld.com/2020/08/16/chris-hoy-and-john-mcguinness-in-5-nations-british-rx/
  21. ^ https://rallycrossworld.com/2020/04/10/rallycross-world-british-rallycross-easter-1990/
  22. ^ https://ardeesnapper.blogspot.com/2018/12/barry-mcguigans-knockout-performance-at.html?m=1
  23. ^ https://www.ewrc-results.com/profile/8325-barry-mcguigan/
  24. ^ 'How Barry McGuigan and Barney Eastwood's relationship fell apart' Belfast Telegraph
  25. ^ "Danika McGuigan: Actress and daughter of ex-boxer dies aged 33". BBC News. 24 July 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  26. ^ '"I despise them": Carl Frampton breaks silence on split with McGuigans' Belfast Telegraph
  27. ^ 'Carl Frampton and Barry McGuigan settle legal battle' BBC News
  28. ISSN 0261-3077
    . Retrieved 7 December 2024.
  29. ^ "Celebrity Diary: Barry McGuigan". Evening Herald. 21 August 2009. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
  30. ^ 'Barry McGuigan: Two firms linked to boxer to be liquidated'. BBC News, 3 January 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2024
  31. ^ "I'm a Celebrity 2024: Coleen Rooney, GK Barry and Danny Jones in line-up". BBC News. 2 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  32. ^ Rosseinsky, Katie (5 December 2024). "Two stars leave I'm a Celebrity jungle in dramatic double elimination". The Independent.
  33. ^ 'McGuigan and Mullan In' Eurosport
  34. ^ "Big Tom sings "Clones Cyclone"". YouTube. Archived from the original on 4 October 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2011.
  35. ^ Curran, Aidan (23 February 2022). "Dermot Morgan – 'Thank You Very Much Mr Eastwood'". Irish Number Ones. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
Wikiquote has quotations related to Barry McGuigan.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Loris Stecca
featherweight champion

16 November 1983 – 8 June 1985 		Vacant
Title next held by
Jim McDonnell
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBA Featherweight Champion
8 June 1985 – 23 June 1986 		Succeeded by
Steve Cruz
The Ring featherweight champion
8 June 1985 – 23 June 1986
Awards
Preceded by BBC Sports Personality of the Year
1985 		Succeeded by
Previous:
Marvin Hagler vs. Thomas Hearns 		The Ring Fight of the Year
vs. Steve Cruz
1986 		Next:
Marvin Hagler vs. Sugar Ray Leonard
Previous:
Marvin Hagler vs. Thomas Hearns
Round 1 		The Ring Round of the Year
vs. Steve Cruz
Round 15
1986 		Next:
Kelvin Seabrooks vs.Thierry Jacob
Round 1
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